Apgar score is used to assess the condition of a newborn baby soon after birth. It is a quick and easy way to assess a baby’s health and check for risk factors that may lead to birth asphyxia, a potentially life-threatening condition caused by a lack of oxygen during the birthing process. The score is based on five criteria, each of which is evaluated on a scale of 0 to 2. The five criteria are:
Appearance
The infant’s skin color is assessed. A score of 0 is given to a baby that is bluish in color, a score of 1 to a baby that is pale or pink, and a score of 2 to a baby that is pink.
Pulse Rate
The pulse rate is assessed by counting the number of heartbeats in one minute. A score of 0 is given to a baby with no pulse, a score of 1 to a baby with a pulse rate of less than 100 beats per minute, and a score of 2 to a baby with a pulse rate of more than 100 beats per minute.
Grimace Response
The infant’s response to stimulation is assessed. A score of 0 is given to a baby that does not respond to stimulation, a score of 1 to a baby that has a weak response, and a score of 2 to a baby that has a strong response.
Activity
The infant’s muscle tone is assessed. A score of 0 is given to a baby with no movement, a score of 1 to a baby with some movement, and a score of 2 to a baby with good muscle tone.
Respiration
The infant’s breathing rate is assessed. A score of 0 is given to a baby with no breathing, a score of 1 to a baby with slow or irregular breathing, and a score of 2 to a baby with normal breathing.
The total Apgar score is determined by adding the scores for each of the five criteria. A score of 7 to 10 is considered normal, while a score of 4 or lower indicates the need for medical attention. A score of 0 to 3 is a sign of birth asphyxia. In this case, the baby may need to be resuscitated and closely monitored for any signs of complications.
