- | Perinatal NMDS 2019–20 | 694988 |
|
| |
- | Actual place of birth | 695103 | Number
[1]
| 1 | Hospital, excluding birth centre | 2 | Birth centre, attached to hospital | 3 | Birth centre, free standing | 4 | Home | 8 | Other | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| DSS specific information: Used to analyse the risk factors and outcomes by place of birth. While most deliveries occur within hospitals, an increasing number of births now occur in other settings. It is important to monitor the births occurring outside hospitals and to ascertain whether or not the actual place of delivery was planned. This data element is recorded for the mother only. In the case of multiple births, this data element should be recorded for the first-born baby. |
- | Anaesthesia administered indicator | 695188 | Boolean
[1]
| 1 | Yes | 2 | No | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| Conditional obligation: This data element is only to be recorded if the response to the Birth event—birth method, code N data element is Code 2 (Vaginal—forceps), Code 4 (Caesarean section) or Code 5 (Vaginal—vacuum extraction). |
- | Analgesia administered indicator | 695200 | Boolean
[1]
| 1 | Yes | 2 | No | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| Conditional obligation: This data element is only to be recorded if the response to the Birth event—labour onset type, code N data element is Code 1 (Spontaneous) or Code 2 (Induced). |
- | Method of birth | 695372 | Number
[1]
| 1 | Vaginal—non-instrumental | 2 | Vaginal—forceps | 4 | Caesarean section | 5 | Vaginal—vacuum extraction | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| DSS specific information: In the case of multiple births, this data element should be recorded for each baby born. |
- | Presentation at birth | 695418 | Number
[1]
| 1 | Vertex | 2 | Breech | 3 | Face | 4 | Brow | 8 | Other | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| DSS specific information: In the case of multiple births, this data element should be recorded for each baby born. |
- | Labour induction method | 695355 | Number
[2]
| 1 | Oxytocin | 2 | Prostaglandins | 3 | Artificial rupture of membranes (ARM) | 6 | Mechanical cervical dilatation | 7 | Antiprogestogen | 88 | Other | 99 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| Conditional obligation: The data element is only to be recorded if the response to the Birth event—labour onset type, code N data element is Code 2 (Induced). |
- | Labour onset type | 695339 | Number
[1]
| 1 | Spontaneous | 2 | Induced | 3 | No labour | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| DSS specific information: How labour commenced is closely associated with method of birth and maternal and neonatal morbidity. Induction rates vary for maternal risk factors and obstetric complications and are important indicators of obstetric intervention. This data element is recorded for the mother only. |
- | State/territory of birth | 695424 | Number
[1]
| 1 | New South Wales | 2 | Victoria | 3 | Queensland | 4 | South Australia | 5 | Western Australia | 6 | Tasmania | 7 | Northern Territory | 8 | Australian Capital Territory | 9 | Other territories (Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Christmas Island and Jervis Bay Territory) |
| DSS specific information: This data element is recorded for the mother only. |
- | Type of anaesthesia administered during a birth event | 695530 | Number
[2]
| 2 | Local anaesthetic to perineum | 3 | Pudendal block | 4 | Epidural or caudal block | 5 | Spinal block | 6 | General anaesthesia | 7 | Combined spinal-epidural block | 88 | Other anaesthesia | 99 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| Conditional obligation: This data element is only to be recorded if the response to the Birth event—birth method, code N data element is Code 2 (Vaginal—forceps), Code 4 (Caesarean section) or Code 5 (Vaginal—vacuum extraction) and Birth event—anaesthesia administered indicator, Yes/no/not stated/inadequately described code N data element is Code 1 (Yes). DSS specific information: This data element does not include the removal of the placenta. This is a multiple response data element and is therefore operationalised for data collection across 7 individual data items (one data item per permissible value, excluding Code 99 (Not stated/inadequately described)). |
- | Type of analgesia administered during a birth event | 695545 | Number
[2]
| 2 | Nitrous oxide | 4 | Epidural or caudal block | 5 | Spinal block | 6 | Systemic opioids | 7 | Combined spinal-epidural block | 88 | Other analgesia | 99 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| Conditional obligation: This data element is only to be recorded if the response to the Birth event—labour onset type, code N data element is Code 1 (Spontaneous) or Code 2 (Induced) and the Birth event—analgesia administered indicator, Yes/no/not stated/inadequately described code N data element is Code 1 (Yes). DSS specific information: This data element is to be recorded for first and second stage labour, but not for third stage labour, e.g. removal of placenta. This is a multiple response data element and is therefore operationalised for data collection across 6 individual data items (one data item per permissible value, excluding Code 99 (Not stated/inadequately described)). |
- | Separation date | 270025 | Date/Time
[8]
| DDMMYYYY
The day of a particular month and year. | DSS specific information: For the provision of state and territory hospital data to Australian Government agencies this field must: - be <= last day of financial year
- be >= first day of financial year
- be >= Admission date
This data element is recorded once for the mother and once for the baby. In the case of multiple births, this data element should be recorded for each baby born. |
- | Establishment identifier | 269973 | String
[9]
| NNX[X]NNNNN A combination of numeric and alphanumeric characters that identify an entity. | DSS specific information: This data element is recorded for the mother only. |
- | Caesarean section at most recent previous birth indicator | 695328 | Number
[1]
| 1 | Yes | 2 | No | 7 | Not applicable | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| DSS specific information: This data element is recorded for the mother only. |
- | Antenatal care visits | 695227 | Number
[2]
| 99 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| |
- | Number of tobacco cigarettes smoked per day after 20 weeks of pregnancy | 695382 | Number
[3]
| 998 | Occasional smoking (less than one) | 999 | Not stated/inadequately described | | |
| Conditional obligation: The data element is only to be recorded if the response to the Female—tobacco smoking after 20 weeks of pregnancy indicator, yes/no/not stated/inadequately described code N data element is Code 1 (Yes). DSS specific information: This data element is recorded for the mother only. |
- | Parity | 696262 | Number
[2]
| | DSS specific information: This data element is recorded for the mother only. |
- | Postpartum perineal status | 695391 | Number
[2]
| 1 | Intact | 2 | 1st degree laceration/vaginal graze | 3 | 2nd degree laceration | 4 | 3rd degree laceration | 5 | Episiotomy | 7 | 4th degree laceration | 88 | Other perineal laceration, rupture or tear | 99 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| DSS specific information: This is a multiple response data element and is therefore operationalised for data collection across 7 individual data items (one data item per permissible value, excluding Code 99 (Not stated/inadequately described)). |
- | Tobacco smoking after 20 weeks of pregnancy indicator | 695447 | Boolean
[1]
| 1 | Yes | 2 | No | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| DSS specific information: This data element is recorded for the mother only. |
- | Tobacco smoking in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy indicator | 695487 | Boolean
[1]
| 1 | Yes | 2 | No | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| DSS specific information: This data element is recorded for the mother only. |
- | Area of usual residence (SA2) | 659725 | String
[9]
| N(9)
A code set representing a medium-sized general purpose area aggregated from whole Statistical areas level 1 (SA1s). | DSS specific information: This data element is recorded for the mother only. The following code has been agreed by the National Perinatal Data Development Committee (NPDDC) as a supplementary code for use in the Perinatal NMDS: Value | Meaning |
---|
999999999 | Not stated/inadequately described |
|
- | Country of birth | 659454 | Number
[4]
| NNNN
The Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC 2016) code set representing a country. | |
- | Date of birth | 287007 | Date/Time
[8]
| DDMMYYYY
The day of a particular month and year. | DSS specific information: This data element is recorded once for the mother and once for the baby. |
- | Indigenous status | 602543 | Number
[1]
| 1 | Aboriginal but not Torres Strait Islander origin | 2 | Torres Strait Islander but not Aboriginal origin | 3 | Both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin | 4 | Neither Aboriginal nor Torres Strait Islander origin | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| DSS specific information: This data element is recorded once for the mother and once for the baby. |
- | Person identifier | 290046 | String
[20]
| XXXXXX[X(14)]
A logical combination of valid alphanumeric characters that identify an entity. | DSS specific information: This data element is recorded once for the mother and once for the baby. |
- | Sex | 635126 | String
[1]
| 1 | Male | 2 | Female | 3 | Other | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| DSS specific information: In the case of multiple births, this data element should be recorded for each baby born. |
- | Birth plurality | 695308 | Number
[1]
| 1 | Singleton | 2 | Twins | 3 | Triplets | 4 | Quadruplets | 5 | Quintuplets | 6 | Sextuplets | 8 | Other | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| DSS specific information: This data element is recorded for the mother only. |
- | Pregnancy duration at the first antenatal care visit | 695410 | Number
[2]
| | DSS specific information: This data element is recorded for the mother only. The following code has been agreed by the National Perinatal Data Development Committee (NPDDC) as a supplementary code for use in the Perinatal NMDS: Value | Meaning |
---|
99 | Not stated/inadequately described |
|
- | Active resuscitation of baby indicator | 695556 | Boolean
[1]
| 1 | Yes | 2 | No | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| |
- | Active resuscitation of baby method | 695568 | Number
[2]
| 2 | Suction | 3 | Oxygen therapy | 7 | Intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) | 8 | Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ventilation | 10 | Intubation | 11 | External cardiac compressions | 88 | Other | 99 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| Conditional obligation: The data element is only to be recorded if the response to the Product of birth—active resuscitation indicator, yes/no/not stated/inadequately described code N data element is Code 1 (Yes). |
- | Apgar score at 5 minutes | 695281 | String
[2]
| 00-10 | Apgar score | 99 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| DSS specific information: In the case of multiple births, this data element should be recorded for each baby born. |
- | Birth order | 695293 | Number
[1]
| 1 | Singleton or first of a multiple birth | 2 | Second of a multiple birth | 3 | Third of a multiple birth | 4 | Fourth of a multiple birth | 5 | Fifth of a multiple birth | 6 | Sixth of a multiple birth | 8 | Other | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| DSS specific information: Birth order is only assigned to births that are in scope for the Perinatal NMDS (i.e. births of at least 20 weeks gestation or 400 grams birthweight). In the case of multiple pregnancies, if one or more fetuses were removed from the mother's uterus before 20 weeks gestation, for example, by abortion (spontaneous, induced or fetal reduction), they are not considered in the assignment of birth order for any remaining fetuses that are born. For example, in a twin pregnancy, where one fetus is aborted before 20 weeks gestation, no birth order would be recorded for that twin. If the remaining twin is born and is in scope for the Perinatal NMDS, then their birth order would be recorded as Code 1 (Singleton or first of a multiple birth). If both twins are born and are in scope for the Perinatal NMDS, the first twin would be assigned a birth order of Code 1 (Singleton or first of a multiple birth) and the second twin would be assigned a birth order of Code 2 (Second of a multiple birth). In the case of multiple births, this data element should be recorded for each baby born. |
- | Status of the baby | 695437 | Number
[1]
| 1 | Live birth | 2 | Stillbirth (fetal death) | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| DSS specific information: Essential to analyse outcome of pregnancy. In the case of multiple births, this data element should be recorded for each baby born. |
- | Birthweight of baby | 695317 | Number
[4]
| 9999 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| DSS specific information: Weight is an important indicator of pregnancy outcome, is a major risk factor for neonatal morbidity and mortality and is required to analyse perinatal services for high-risk infants. In the case of multiple births, this data element should be recorded for each baby born. |
- | Gestational age | 695332 | Number
[2]
| | DSS specific information: The first day of the last menstrual period (LMP) is required to estimate gestational age, which is a key marker in pregnancy and an important risk factor for neonatal outcomes. Although the date of the LMP may not be known, or may sometimes be erroneous, estimation of gestational age based on clinical assessment may also be inaccurate. Gestational age is usually estimated based on available information on LMP and clinical assessment. In the case of multiple births, this data element should be recorded for each baby born. This data element is recorded for the mother only. The following code has been agreed by the National Perinatal Data Development Committee (NPDDC) as a supplementary code for use in the Perinatal NMDS: Value | Meaning |
---|
99 | Not stated/inadequately described |
|
- | Additional indication for caesarean section | 695691 | Number
[2]
| 1 | Fetal compromise | 2 | Suspected fetal macrosomia | 3 | Malpresentation | 10 | Lack of progress; less than or equal to 3 cm cervical dilatation | 11 | Lack of progress in the first stage; greater than 3 cm to less than 10 cm cervical dilatation | 12 | Lack of progress in the second stage | 13 | Placenta praevia | 14 | Placental abruption | 15 | Vasa praevia | 16 | Antepartum/intrapartum haemorrhage | 17 | Multiple pregnancy | 18 | Unsuccessful attempt at assisted delivery | 19 | Cord prolapse | 20 | Previous adverse perinatal outcome | 21 | Previous caesarean section | 22 | Previous severe perineal trauma | 23 | Previous shoulder dystocia | 29 | Other obstetric, medical, surgical, psychological indications | 30 | Maternal choice in the absence of any obstetric, medical, surgical, psychological indications | 99 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| Conditional obligation: This data element is only to be recorded if the response to the Birth event—birth method, code N data element is Code 4 (Caesarean section). This data element is also conditional on the Birth event—main indication for caesarean section, code N[N] data element being completed and on there being more than one reason for which a caesarean was performed. |
- | Additional indication for induction of labour | 695711 | Number
[2]
| 1 | Prolonged pregnancy | 2 | Prelabour rupture of membranes | 3 | Diabetes | 4 | Hypertensive disorders | 5 | Multiple pregnancy | 6 | Chorioamnionitis (includes suspected) | 7 | Cholestasis of pregnancy | 8 | Antepartum haemorrhage | 9 | Maternal age | 10 | Body Mass Index (BMI) | 11 | Maternal mental health indication | 12 | Previous adverse perinatal outcome | 19 | Other maternal obstetric or medical indication | 20 | Fetal compromise (includes suspected) | 21 | Fetal growth restriction (includes suspected) | 22 | Fetal macrosomia (includes suspected) | 23 | Fetal death | 24 | Fetal congenital anomaly | 80 | Administrative or geographical indication | 81 | Maternal choice in the absence of any obstetric, medical, fetal, administrative or geographical indication | 89 | Other indication not elsewhere classified | 99 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| Conditional obligation: This data element is only to be recorded if the response to the Birth event—labour onset type, code N data element is Code 2 (Induced). This data element is also conditional on the Birth event—main indication for induction of labour, code N[N] data element being completed and on there being more than one reason for which an induction was performed. |
- | Main indication for caesarean section | 695698 | Number
[2]
| 1 | Fetal compromise | 2 | Suspected fetal macrosomia | 3 | Malpresentation | 10 | Lack of progress; less than or equal to 3 cm cervical dilatation | 11 | Lack of progress in the first stage; greater than 3 cm to less than 10 cm cervical dilatation | 12 | Lack of progress in the second stage | 13 | Placenta praevia | 14 | Placental abruption | 15 | Vasa praevia | 16 | Antepartum/intrapartum haemorrhage | 17 | Multiple pregnancy | 18 | Unsuccessful attempt at assisted delivery | 19 | Cord prolapse | 20 | Previous adverse perinatal outcome | 21 | Previous caesarean section | 22 | Previous severe perineal trauma | 23 | Previous shoulder dystocia | 29 | Other obstetric, medical, surgical, psychological indications | 30 | Maternal choice in the absence of any obstetric, medical, surgical, psychological indications | 99 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| Conditional obligation: This data element is only to be recorded if the response to the Birth event—birth method, code N data element is Code 4 (Caesarean section). |
- | Main indication for induction of labour | 695720 | Number
[2]
| 1 | Prolonged pregnancy | 2 | Prelabour rupture of membranes | 3 | Diabetes | 4 | Hypertensive disorders | 5 | Multiple pregnancy | 6 | Chorioamnionitis (includes suspected) | 7 | Cholestasis of pregnancy | 8 | Antepartum haemorrhage | 9 | Maternal age | 10 | Body Mass Index (BMI) | 11 | Maternal mental health indication | 12 | Previous adverse perinatal outcome | 19 | Other maternal obstetric or medical indication | 20 | Fetal compromise (includes suspected) | 21 | Fetal growth restriction (includes suspected) | 22 | Fetal macrosomia (includes suspected) | 23 | Fetal death | 24 | Fetal congenital anomaly | 80 | Administrative or geographical indication | 81 | Maternal choice in the absence of any obstetric, medical, fetal, administrative or geographical indication | 89 | Other indication not elsewhere classified | 99 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| Conditional obligation: This data element is only to be recorded if the response to the Birth event—labour onset type, code N data element is Code 2 (Induced). |
- | Alcohol consumption after 20 weeks of pregnancy indicator | 690739 | Boolean
[1]
| 1 | Yes | 2 | No | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| |
- | Alcohol consumption frequency after 20 weeks of pregnancy | 691060 | Number
[1]
| 0 | Never | 1 | Monthly or less | 2 | 2–4 times a month | 3 | 2–3 times a week | 4 | 4 or more times a week | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| Conditional obligation: This data element is only to be recorded if the response to the Female—alcohol consumption after 20 weeks of pregnancy indicator, yes/no/not stated/inadequately described code N data element is Code 1 (Yes). |
- | Alcohol consumption frequency in first 20 weeks of pregnancy | 691052 | Number
[1]
| 0 | Never | 1 | Monthly or less | 2 | 2–4 times a month | 3 | 2–3 times a week | 4 | 4 or more times a week | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| Conditional obligation: This data element is only to be recorded if the response to the Female—alcohol consumption in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy indicator, yes/no/not stated/inadequately described code N data element is Code 1 (Yes). |
- | Alcohol consumption in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy indicator | 690482 | Boolean
[1]
| 1 | Yes | 2 | No | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| |
- | Blood transfusion for primary postpartum haemorrhage | 673477 | Boolean
[1]
| 1 | Yes | 2 | No | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| Conditional obligation: This data element is conditional on Female—primary postpartum haemorrhage indicator, yes/no/not stated/inadequately described code N being coded to Yes. |
- | Diabetes during pregnancy | 673501 | Boolean
[1]
| 1 | Yes | 2 | No | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| DSS specific information: It is acceptable for jurisdictions to report only Code 1, Yes and Code 9, Not stated/inadequately described against this item. |
- | Primary postpartum haemorrhage blood loss | 655567 | Number
[1]
| 1 | 500–999 ml | 2 | 1000–1499 ml | 3 | 1500 ml or more | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| Conditional obligation: This data element is conditional on Female—primary postpartum haemorrhage indicator, yes/no/not stated/inadequately described code N being coded to Yes. |
- | Hypertension during pregnancy | 673583 | Boolean
[1]
| 1 | Yes | 2 | No | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| DSS specific information: It is acceptable for jurisdictions to report only Code 1, Yes and Code 9, Not stated/inadequately described against this item. |
- | Number of standard drinks consumed when drinking alcohol after 20 weeks of pregnancy | 691039 | Number
[3]
| 998 | Occasional drinking (less than one) | 999 | Not stated/inadequately described | | |
| Conditional obligation: This data element is only to be recorded if the response to the Female—alcohol consumption after 20 weeks of pregnancy indicator, yes/no/not stated/inadequately described code N data element is Code 1 (Yes). |
- | Number of standard drinks consumed when drinking alcohol in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy | 690993 | Number
[3]
| 998 | Occasional drinking (less than one) | 999 | Not stated/inadequately described | | |
| Conditional obligation: This data element is only to be recorded if the response to the Female—alcohol consumption in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy indicator, yes/no/not stated/inadequately described code N data element is Code 1 (Yes). |
- | Primary postpartum haemorrhage indicator | 673595 | Boolean
[1]
| 1 | Yes | 2 | No | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| |
- | Diabetes mellitus type during pregnancy | 668889 | Number
[1]
| 1 | Pre-existing Type 1 diabetes | 2 | Pre-existing Type 2 diabetes | 3 | Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) | 8 | Other type of diabetes mellitus | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| Conditional obligation: This data element is conditional on Female—diabetes mellitus during pregnancy indicator, yes/no/not stated/inadequately described code N being coded to Yes. DSS specific information: |
- | Diabetes therapy type during pregnancy | 695736 | Number
[1]
| 1 | Insulin | 2 | Oral hypoglycaemic | 3 | Diet and exercise | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| Conditional obligation: DSS specific information: This is a multiple response data element and is therefore operationalised for data collection across 3 individual data items (one data item per permissible value, excluding Code 99 (Not stated/inadequately described)). |
- | Hypertension type during pregnancy | 695743 | Number
[1]
| 1 | Eclampsia | 2 | Preeclampsia | 3 | Gestational hypertension | 4 | Chronic hypertension | | | 9 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| Conditional obligation: This data element is only to be recorded if the response to the Female—hypertensive disorder during pregnancy indicator, yes/no/not stated/inadequately described code N data element is Code 1 (Yes). DSS specific information: This is a multiple response data element and is therefore operationalised for data collection across 3 individual data items (one data item per permissible value, excluding Code 99 (Not stated/inadequately described)). |
- | Height (measured) | 270361 | Number
[4]
| | DSS specific information: It is acceptable for measured height to be rounded to the nearest centimetre. It is preferable to collect and record a pregnant female's height as a measured height. Where a measured height has not been provided or it is not possible to ascertain whether the height has been measured or self-reported, the value 999.9 should be recorded against this data element. Data should then be recorded against the Person—height (self-reported), total centimetres NN[N] data element. |
- | Height (self-reported) | 270365 | Number
[3]
| 888 | Unknown | 999 | Not stated/inadequately described |
| Conditional obligation: It is preferable to collect and record a pregnant female's height as a measured height. Where a measured height has not been provided or it is not possible to ascertain whether the height has been measured or self-reported, the value 999.9 should be recorded against the Person—height (measured), total centimetres NN[N].N data element. Data should then be recorded against this conditional self-reported height data element. DSS specific information: It is acceptable for a self-reported height to be rounded to the nearest whole centimetre. |
- | Weight in kilograms (measured) | 702085 | Number
[4]
| | DSS specific information: Weight rounded to the nearest whole kilogram is acceptable. Weight should be recorded in the first trimester, preferably as a measured weight. However, the female's self-reported weight around the time of conception is acceptable if a measured weight is not available. It is preferable to collect and record a pregnant female's weight as a measured weight. Where a measured weight has not been provided or it is not possible to ascertain whether the weight has been measured or self-reported, the value 999.9 should be recorded against this data element. Data should then be recorded against the Person—weight (self-reported), total kilograms NN[N] data element. |
- | Weight (self-reported) | 302365 | Number
[3]
| | Conditional obligation: It is preferable to collect and record a pregnant female's weight as a measured weight. Where a measured weight has not been provided or it is not possible to ascertain whether the weight has been measured or self-reported, the value 999.9 should be recorded against the Person—weight (measured), total kilograms N[NN].N data element. Data should then be recorded against this conditional self-reported weight data element. DSS specific information: Weight rounded to the nearest whole kilogram is acceptable. Weight should be recorded in the first trimester, preferably as a measured weight. However, the female's self-reported weight around the time of conception is acceptable if a measured weight is not available. |
- | Baby head circumference | 695727 | Number
[4]
| | DSS specific information: Baby head circumference can be recorded as measured e.g. 35.1 cm or can be rounded to the nearest 0.5 cm, e.g. 35.0 cm, but in any case measurement should be recorded at least to the nearest 0.5 cm. If rounding, round up or down to the nearest 0.5 cm, e.g. 35.2 cm would be rounded down to 35.0 cm; 35.3 cm would be rounded up to 35.5 cm. Example: A baby has two head circumference measurements taken at birth of 34.2 cm and 34.6 cm. These are within 0.5 cm of each other so the higher measurement of 34.6 cm is the correct one to record. It can be recorded as 34.6 cm or rounded to the nearest 0.5 cm, that is, 34.5 cm. |