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Two colloquial shorthand expressions quantify an individual’s obstetric history: GPA and TPAL. The GPA and TPAL expressions are familiar and widely used clinically. However, they are also recognized as imprecise and lacking in standardization.(pp225-226)The letters G, P, and A (or Ab) accompanied by numbers indicate number of pregnancies, births of viable offspring, and number of spontaneous or induced abortions, respectively. Definitions of viability vary and in articles should be specified. In the expansions below, the clinical meaning associated with the GPA shorthand appears; the Latin terms refer to the individual (see any medical dictionary):For example, G3, P2, A1 would indicate ...Less

(pp225-226)The letters G, P, and A (or Ab) accompanied by numbers indicate number of pregnancies, births of viable offspring, and number of spontaneous or induced abortions, respectively. Definitions of viability vary and in articles should be specified. In the expansions below, the clinical meaning associated with the GPA shorthand appears; the Latin terms refer to the individual (see any medical dictionary):For example, G3, P2, A1 would indicate 3 pregnancies, 2 births of viable offspring, and 1 abortion. In published articles, however, it is preferable to write out the expression, eg: gravida 3, para 2, aborta 1Although some sources, including medical ...Less

(pp225-226)The letters in this expression indicate obstetric history as follows:Often, 4 numbers separated by hyphens are recorded, eg: TPAL: 3-1-1-4 or 3-1-1-4which would indicate 3 term deliveries, 1 premature delivery, 1 abortion, and 4 living children. However, the text of a manuscript should define the numerical expressions and not give the numbers alone. ...Less

(p387-389),,This score is an assessment of a newborn’s physical well-being based on the 5 parameters of heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, reflex irritability, and color, each of which is rated 0, 1, or 2; the 5 ratings are then summed. The Apgar score is often reported as 2 numbers, from 0 to 10, separated by a virgule or forward slash, reflecting assessment at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth. In general medical journals, however, it is best to specify the time intervals, especially as the Apgar score may be assessed at other intervals, eg, 10, 15, or 20 minutes.The ...Less