1. What is Gestational Age Weight Percentile?

The gestational age weight percentile compares an infant's birth weight to standardized growth charts based on gestational age and sex. It helps assess whether the baby's weight is appropriate for their stage of development.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses standardized growth charts to determine weight percentile:

Where:

• \( birth\_weight \) — Infant's weight at birth (kg)
• \( gestational\_age \) — Weeks of gestation at birth
• \( gender \) — Infant's biological sex

Explanation: The calculation compares the infant's weight to population norms for babies of the same gestational age and sex.

3. Importance of Weight Percentile

Details: Weight percentile helps identify infants who may be small for gestational age (SGA) or large for gestational age (LGA), which can indicate potential health concerns.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter birth weight in kilograms, gestational age in completed weeks (22-44 weeks), and select the infant's gender. All values must be valid.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is considered a normal weight percentile?
A: Typically, percentiles between 10th and 90th are considered normal, but interpretation depends on clinical context.

Q2: What does small for gestational age (SGA) mean?
A: SGA is typically defined as weight below the 10th percentile for gestational age.

Q3: What factors affect birth weight?
A: Maternal health, nutrition, genetics, placental function, and gestational age all influence birth weight.

Q4: How accurate are these percentiles?
A: Percentiles are based on population averages and may vary by ethnicity and geographic region.

Q5: Should I be concerned if my baby is below the 10th percentile?
A: Consult your pediatrician. While some babies are naturally smaller, it may warrant evaluation for growth restriction.