Apgar Score

A numerical summary of a newborn's condition at birth based on the five signs noted in the table. The score is measured at 1 and 5 minutes. A ‘perfect’ score is 9 or 10, since it is considered normal to have one point given for the color of the baby. Additional measurements are made every five minutes thereafter if the score is <7 at five minutes until the score reaches 7 or greater. Prematurely born infants generally have lower scores than full term infants. The Apgar score does not predict future development with accuracy. The score was developed by Virginia Apgar and represents a rough estimate of the condition of the infant at birth.

Sign0 Points 1 Point 2 Points Activity - Muscle Tone Absent Arms and Legs Flexed Active Movement Pulse Absent Below 100 bpm Above 100 bpm Grimace No Response Grimace Sneeze, cough, pulls
away Appearance - Skin Color Blue-gray, pale all
over Normal, except for
extremities Normal over entire
body Respiration Absent Slow, irregular Good, crying
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