International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Practice Exam

What does it mean when a newborn is classified as appropriate for gestational age (AGA)?

1. Weight is less than 10th percentile

2. Weight is above 90th percentile

3. Weight is between 10th and 90th percentile

4. Weight is exactly average for its age

The correct answer is: Weight is between 10th and 90th percentile

When a newborn is classified as appropriate for gestational age (AGA), it indicates that the baby's weight falls within the range of the 10th to the 90th percentile for their gestational age. This classification is significant because it suggests that the newborn's growth is typical for their specific developmental stage, which generally reflects adequate nutrition and growth during pregnancy. Being classified as AGA means that the infant is neither underweight nor overweight for their age, suggesting that everything is progressing normally in terms of growth and development. This classification helps health care providers identify and monitor infants who may be at risk for growth-related issues, allowing for timely interventions if needed. The other options do not accurately reflect the meaning of AGA. Weighing less than the 10th percentile indicates a newborn is classified as small for gestational age (SGA), while weighing above the 90th percentile would classify the infant as large for gestational age (LGA). Suggesting that weight is exactly average oversimplifies the classification, as it doesn’t take into account the full range that AGA encompasses. Thus, the correct understanding aligns with the range of the 10th to 90th percentiles.