What is the APGAR Score?

Devised in 1952, by anesthesiologis Virigina Apgar, the Apgar test is a simple and quick way to assess the health of newborn children immediately after birth. A "score" is given to a newborn baby based on their response in five different categories: Activity (muscle tone), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (reflex), Appearance (skin tone), and Respiration (breathing). Each factor is scored in a scale from 0 to 2, with 2 being the best score.  Scores from each category are added together to assign your baby’s “apgar score.” 10 is the highest possible score.

Here is how a score is determined:

 

Category	0	1	2
Activity	Limp	Some Motion	Active Motion
Pulse	Absent	<100 BPM	>100 BPM
Grimace	No response to stimulation	Facial movement only	Sneezes, coughs or withdraws
Appearance	Blue or Pale	Body pink, extremities pink	Pink
Respiration	Absent	Weak Cry	Good Crying

The test is completed by hospital staff twice: once at 1 minute after birth and again 5 minutes after birth. If need be, it is administered again 10 minutes after birth.

There is no need to be concerned if your child does not receive a perfect 10. The results do not determine future intelligence or cognitive ability.  It is purely a tool to access your child's health at birth and determine whether additional care is needed immediately. A baby who scores a 7 or higher on the test one minute after birth is generally considered in good health. A baby who receives a lower score may simply need an airway suction or oxygen to help him or her breathe. A score of 3 or lower indicates that resuscitation is required.

It is important to note that babies born prematurely or delivered via ceasarean section may initially have a lower Apgar score, but again is not a predictor of future health issues, they are simply having a harder time adjusting to life outside the womb.