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Apgar
Test
The
Apgar test, named after Virginia Apgar, is a test given to
babies at one minute and five minutes after birth. Dr. Apgar
developed the Apgar test in 1952 after working in the obstetrical
field as an anesthesiologist. Her system was developed to
help doctors evaluate how baby was transitioning to life outside
the womb. The scoring system is based on five observations:
baby’s appearance (color), pulse, reflex response, muscle
tone, and respiration. The Apgar score is a simple scoring
system that any health professional can perform. Your baby’s
Apgar score does not tell you anything about her overall health.
It was designed to be an easy assessment to help doctors determine
if baby needed resuscitation and prevent birth injuries from
lack of oxygen or other complications.
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Apgar
Scoring System |
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|
0 |
1 |
2 |
Appearance |
Color
of baby’s body and extremities |
Body
is pale or blue |
Body
is normal color but hands and feet are blue |
Body
including hands and feet are nice and pink |
| Pulse |
Baby’s
heart rate |
No
pulse |
Less
than 100 beats per minute |
100
beats per minute or higher |
| Grimace |
Baby’s
reflex response to suctioning with a bulb syringe |
No
response |
Grimace
|
Active
cry |
| Activity |
Baby’s
muscle tone |
Limp
or no movement |
Some
movement of arms and legs |
Actively
moving arms and legs |
| Respiration |
Baby’s
breathing |
Not
breathing |
Slow
or irregular |
Breathing
well/ strong cry |
What
does the Apgar score mean?
One
minute Apgar score
The
one minute Apgar score lets your doctor know if your baby
requires immediate attention. A score of 7-10 generally means
baby is in good shape and does not require any special medical
help. If baby’s score is between 4-6 she may need some
help breathing. Staff may rub baby vigorously with a towel
to help stimulate her breathing. She may need her nose suctioned
or she may need some oxygen to help her breath. If your baby’s
Apgar score is less than four she may require immediate life
saving measures to resuscitate her.
Five
minute Apgar score
Babies
are reevaluated at five minutes. Sometimes babies don’t
score well right away but after a little suctioning, oxygen,
or stimulation, they score better. If baby’s score is
still below a 7, she may require special care. If baby’s
Apgar is very low she may be sent to the neonatal intensive
care unit for more intensive monitoring and medical attention.
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