Intermediate
Technical
IVT
chronological age
The actual age of an infant calculated from the date of birth, used in contrast to corrected gestational age in NICU settings.
Full Definition
Chronological age refers to the actual time that has elapsed since birth, calculated from the delivery date. In neonatal intensive care, this term is distinguished from corrected gestational age, which adjusts for prematurity. Understanding this distinction is crucial for editors working with developmental assessments, discharge planning documentation, and follow-up care protocols where timing and developmental expectations must be clearly specified.
Usage
Usage note: Often confused with corrected gestational age; ensure proper context when editing NICU documentation.
In Context
- "At six months chronological age, the infant born at 28 weeks gestation was performing at the developmental level expected for a three-month-old term infant." — developmental assessment report
- "The vaccination schedule was adjusted based on chronological age rather than corrected gestational age per CDC guidelines." — discharge planning document
Also known as
actual age
postnatal age
Contrasted with
corrected age
adjusted age
Don't confuse with
corrected gestational age
conceptional age