postmenstrual age
The age of a preterm infant calculated from the mother's last menstrual period, used for timing medical interventions.
Full Definition
Postmenstrual age (PMA) is a standardized method of calculating age in preterm infants, measured in weeks from the first day of the mother's last menstrual period. This measurement is crucial in neonatal care as it provides a consistent reference point for assessing developmental milestones, timing medical interventions, and determining appropriate treatment protocols. PMA is calculated by adding chronological age (time since birth) to gestational age at birth. For example, an infant born at 28 weeks gestation who is now 8 weeks old has a PMA of 36 weeks. This measurement is particularly important for timing procedures such as retinal examinations for retinopathy of prematurity screening, assessing readiness for extubation, and evaluating neurodevelopmental progress.
Usage
Usage note: Essential for standardizing assessments and interventions in preterm infants.
In Context
- "The infant reached 36 weeks postmenstrual age and was cleared for discharge home." — Discharge summary
- "Retinal examination will be performed at 31 weeks postmenstrual age per protocol." — Care plan