Image Based Question – 66399

By looking at the female genitalia as shown in the picture below, estimate the aprox gestational age of the child ?

A. 28 weeks.

B. 38 weeks.

C. 48 weeks.

D. None.

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Correct Answer » A Explanation

Prominence of the labia minora in a premature female infant as shown in the picture above represents the gestational age of aprox 28 weeks.

• The appearance of the genitalia can be used to assess gestational age.

• In a boy the testes descend into the scrotum during the last month of gestation, but they are often palpable in the inguinal canal by 28 to 30 weeks.

• The appearance of rugae on the scrotum parallels testicular migration, appearing first on the anterior scrotum at 36 weeks and covering the entire scrotal sac by 40 weeks.

• Absence of testicular descent alters the appearance of the scrotum at term.

• Clearly, congenital cryptorchidism complicates this evaluation.

• In a girl the labia majora tend to be overshadowed by the clitoris and labia minora until 34 to 36 weeks.

• In cases of fetal malnutrition, lack of subcutaneous fat, which should normally be present in the latter part of gestation, can interfere with assessment of the female genitalia.