The Apgar score is a standardized assessment of newborn wellbeing. The score can be calculated by using the scoring's eponymous name as a mnemonic for remembering the 5 factors: each is graded as 0, 1 or 2 with a total possible score of 10. The lower the score the worse the prognosis.
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Usage
The assessment is performed immediately following birth and is subsequently repeated 5 minutes later. A low score initially may indicate the neonate requires medical attention, whereas the latter score at 5 minutes is associated with a poor prognosis.
Criteria
Appearance (skin color)
0: central cyanosis
1: peripheral cyanosis (acrocyanosis)
2: no cyanosis
Pulse
0: absent
1: <100 bpm
2: >100 bpm
Grimace
0: no response to stimulation
1: grimace/feeble cry when stimulated
2: sneeze/cough/pulls away when stimulated
Activity (muscle tone)
0: none
1: some flexion
2: active movement
Respiration
0: absent
1: weak or irregular
2: strong
History and etymology
The scoring system was originally described by American anaesthesiologist Virginia Apgar (1909-1974) in 1952 1.