How is a neonate defined as being appropriate for gestational age (AGA) based on weight percentiles?

A neonate is classified as appropriate for gestational age (AGA) when their weight falls within a specific range that reflects normal growth patterns for their gestational age. Being between the 10th and 90th percentile indicates that the neonate's weight is considered typical compared to other infants born at the same gestational age. This range allows for a wide variety of normal sizes, acknowledging that some babies may naturally fall on the lower or higher end of the spectrum, while still being healthy.

Infants categorized as below the 10th percentile are considered small for gestational age (SGA), suggesting they may not be growing adequately in utero or may have health concerns. Conversely, those above the 90th percentile are classified as large for gestational age (LGA), which can also lead to specific health challenges. Being below the 5th percentile signifies a more extreme end of the growth curve, typically indicating significant growth deficiencies or complications. Therefore, the definition of AGA focuses specifically on the range that indicates healthy growth without significant risk associated with being too small or too large for gestational age.