Apgar score
What is Apgar Score?
Apgar Score is a measure of a newborn’s physical condition at the time of birth. It is comprised of five criteria: heart rate, respiratory effort, color of the skin, muscle tone, and reflex irritability. The score, ranging from 0 to 10, is an indicator of how quickly a newborn needs medical help to stay healthy and survive.
Preparation
The Apgar score is measured at one minute and again at five minutes after birth. It is performed by a medical professional, usually a doctor or midwife. However, it is sometimes conducted by Nurses or birth attendants. They will assess the baby’s appearance and vital signs to determine the score.
Procedure
The Apgar score measures five aspects of a baby’s condition:
- Heart Rate
- Respiratory Effort
- Muscle Tone
- Reflex Irritability
- Color of the Skin
Each of these criteria is evaluated and given a score between 0 and 2. The highest score, 10, is determined by the combined score of all five criteria. If any of the scores are lower than 2, the doctor or midwife will act immediately to provide the necessary resuscitation to the newborn.
Types of Apgar Score
The Apgar score is composed of five criteria:
- Heart rate: 0 (absent), 1 (less than 100 beats per minute), 2 (more than 100 beats per minute).
- Respiratory effort: 0 (absent), 1 (weak or slow), 2 (strong and cry).
- Color of the skin: 0 (blue), 1 (pale), 2 (normal).
- Muscle tone: 0 (limp), 1 (some flexion of arms and legs), 2 (active motion).
- Reflex irritability: 0 (no response), 1 (grimace), 2 (active crying).
Risks and Complications
There are no known risks associated with the Apgar score. It is simply a tool to assess a newborn’s physical condition at birth. There are no adverse effects associated with the test. However, if a baby’s score is low, the doctor or midwife may take steps to assist the baby and ensure he/she is healthy and safe.
Why is the Apgar Score Used?
The Apgar score is used by medical professionals to assess the health of a baby shortly after delivery. The score indicates the baby’s need for medical intervention in order to stay healthy and safe. It also serves as a measure of the quality of care during delivery.
When is the Apgar Score Used?
The Apgar score is used at one and five minutes after birth. It is performed by a medical professional, usually a doctor or midwife. This test should be done as soon as the baby is delivered to assess the health and determine necessary steps to take to ensure the baby’s safety.
