Apgar is a scoring system used to evaluate a newborn's physical condition. It is used to quickly assess the baby's transition from life inside the uterus to life outside. Developed in 1952 by Dr.Virginia Apgar, it is one of the most widely used tests in the world. The Apgar score is based on five criteria, each of which is given a score from 0 to 2.
Subtitle: Apgar Categories
The Apgar categories consist of five criteria:
Appearance: This is a measure of the color of the baby's skin, which can range from very pale to bluish or even slightly yellow. A score of 0 means that the baby is pale, 1 is a normal color, and 2 is an intense color.
Pulse rate: This is an assessment of the baby's heart rate. A score of 0 means that the baby has no heartbeat, 1 is a heart rate of over 100 beats per minute, and 2 is a heart rate over 140 beats per minute.
Grimace response: This is a measure of the baby's reflexes. A score of 0 means that the baby does not respond to stimulation, 1 is some reflex response, and 2 is a strong response.
Activity: This is a measure of the baby's muscle tone. A score of 0 means that the baby has no muscle tone, 1 is some muscle tone, and 2 is strong muscle tone.
Respiration: This is a measure of the baby's breathing. A score of 0 means that the baby is not breathing, 1 is slow or irregular breathing, and 2 is good, strong breathing.
