Medical Health Encyclopedia

APGAR

Injury Disease Nutrition Poison Symptoms Surgery Test Special Topic

1 2 5 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X

Infant care following delivery Newborn test

Overview Risks Results

APGAR

Definition:

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. Ten suggests the healthiest infant, and scores below 5 indicate that the infant needs immediate assistance in adjusting to his or her new environment.

The test was designed in 1952 by Dr. Virginia Apgar at Columbia University's Babies Hospital.

Text Continues Below

---

Alternative Names:
Newborn scoring

How the test is performed:

Five categories are assessed:

• Heart rate
• Respiratory 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 is evaluated by stethoscope. This is the most important assessment:
  • If there is no heartbeat, the infant scores 0 for heart rate.
  • If heart rate is less than 100 beats per minute, the infant scores 1 for heart rate.
  • If heart rate is 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 scores 2 for muscle tone.
• Reflex irritability is a term describing the level of newborn irritation in response to stimuli (such as a mild pinch):
  • If there is no reaction, 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.