The Apgar score

Virginia Apgar, M.D. (1909-1974) introduced the Apgar score in 1952. This test is a screening tool for health-care providers to determine what assistance is immediately necessary to help a newborn stabilize.

At one and five minutes after the baby is born, the attending health-care provider will assess five vital areas of newborn health. The Apgar score uses measures of 0, 1, or 2 for each category, with the best possible total score equaling 10.

Heart Rate:

1. Absent heartbeat = 0.
2. Slow heartbeat (less than 100 beats per minute) = 1.
3. Adequate heartbeat (more than 100 beats per minute) = 2.

Respiration:

1. Not breathing = 0.
2. Weak cry, irregular breathing = 1.
3. Strong cry = 2.

Muscle Tone:

1. Limp, flaccid = 0.
2. Some flexing or bending = 1.
3. Active motion = 2.

Response to Stimulation (also called Reflex Irritability):

1. No response = 0.
2. Grimace = 1.
3. Vigorous cry or withdrawal = 2.

Colour:

1. Pale or blue = 0.
2. Normal colour body but blue extremities = 1.
3. Normal colour = 2.