Final answer:
The Dubowitz and Ballard method is a technique used to determine gestational age in newborns. It involves assessing physical and neuromuscular characteristics of the baby and comparing them with established scoring criteria. This method enables healthcare professionals to estimate gestational age.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Dubowitz and Ballard method is a commonly used technique for determining gestational age in newborns. It involves assessing various physical and neuromuscular characteristics of the baby, such as skin texture, presence of lanugo, and ability to form a square window with the forearm. By comparing these characteristics with established scoring criteria, healthcare professionals can estimate the gestational age of the baby with a reasonable degree of accuracy.