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

 

 

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Last updated: 04/12/2010