| Subject | Contents |
| Definition | Designed in 1952 by Dr. Virginia Apgar, the APGAR score is a quick test performed at 1 and 5 minutes after birth to determine the physical condition of the newborn. The rating is based on a scale of 1 to 10. 10 suggests the healthiest infant, and scores below 5 indicate the infant needs immediate assistance in adjusting to the new environment. |
| Alternative Names | Newborn scoring |
| How the test is performed | Five categories are assessed: heart raterespiratory effort muscle tone reflex irritability color Each of these categories is scored with 0, 1, or 2, depending on the observed condition of the newborn. Heart Rate: Heart rate is evaluated by stethoscope. This is the most important assessment. If there is no heart beat, the infant scores 0 for heart rate. If there is a heart beat less than 100 beats per minute, the infant scores 1 for heart rate. If there is a heart beat greater than 100 beats per minute, the infant scores 2 for heart rate. Respiratory Effort: If there are no respirations, the infant scores 0 for respiratory effort. If the respirations are slow or irregular, the infant scores 1 for respiratory effort. If there is good crying, the infant scores 2 for respiratory effort. Muscle Tone: If the muscle tone is flaccid, the infant scores 0 for muscle tone. If there is some flexion of the extremities, the infant scores 1 for muscle tone. If there is active motion, the infant score 2 for muscle tone. Reflex Irritability: Reflex irritability is a term describing the level of newborn irritation in response to stimuli (such as a mild pinch). If there is no reflex irritability, the infant scores 0 for reflex irritability. If there is grimacing, the infant scores 1 for reflex irritability. If there is grimacing and a cough, sneeze or a vigorous cry, the infant scores 2 for reflex irritability. Color: If the color is pale blue, the infant scores 0 for color. If the body is pink and the extremities are blue, the infant scores 1 for color. If the entire body is pink, the infant scores 2 for color. The 1-minute APGAR score assesses how well the newborn tolerated the birthing process. The 5-minute APGAR score assesses how well the newborn is adapting to the environment. |
| How to prepare for the test | |
| How the test will feel | |
| Why the test is performed | This test is a screening tool for health care providers to determine what assistance is immediately necessary to help your newborn stabilize. |
| Normal Values | A score of 8 to 10 is normal and indicates your newborn is in good condition. A score of 10 is very unusual. Almost all newborns lose 1 point for blue hands and feet. |
| What abnormal results mean | Any score less than 8 indicates your child needs assistance stabilizing. A low score at 1 minute that normalizes by 5 minutes is not clearly associated with any long-term negative effects. |
| What the risks are | No risks are associated with the APGAR test. |
| Special considerations | |
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