What Usually Happens /
APGAR Scores
01 In Brief
First proposed in 1952 by Dr Virginia Apgar, Columbia University in 1952 as a method of assessing the newborn’s need and response to resuscitation. In the 1950s general anaesthesia for obstetric procedures was common and babies often did not establish respiration at birth. The baby is allocated a score from 0-2 for each criterion at 1 minute and at 5 minutes and the total added. An acceptable score is over 5 and most babies score 7 or more. It should not be used as the only measure to evaluate the possibility that neurological damage occurring during the birthing process.
02 What Do I Need To Know?
- The APGAR Score is a simple test based on 5 key criterion:
0 | 1 | 2 | |
Heart rate | absent | below 100 beats /min | over 100 beats/min |
Respirations | absent | weak cry | strong cry |
Muscle tone | limp | some bending | active motion |
Reflex Irritability | no response | grimace | cry |
Colour | Blue or pale | body pink, arms and legs blue | completely pink |
The information is not intended to take the place of medical advice.
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Last updated: 04/12/2010