Severe Asphyxia Score
Severe asphyxia is a condition in which the body does not get enough oxygen. The severity of the condition is often measured by the Apgar score. The Apgar score is a numerical representation of the overall health of a newborn baby. It is calculated by assessing the baby's heart rate, muscle tone, reflexes, color, and breathing rate.
A normal Apgar score is 7 or higher. A score of 4 or lower indicates severe asphyxia. In this case, the baby will require immediate medical attention to avoid serious complications. The following five factors are used to evaluate the severity of the asphyxia:
Heart Rate: If the heart rate is below 100 beats per minute, this is an indication of severe asphyxia.
Muscle Tone: If the baby is floppy and weak, this indicates severe asphyxia.
Reflexes: If the baby does not respond to stimulation, this is an indication of severe asphyxia.
Color: If the baby's skin is bluish, this is an indication of severe asphyxia.
Breathing Rate: If the baby is not breathing or is breathing shallowly, this is an indication of severe asphyxia.
If a baby has a score of 4 or lower on the Apgar scale, it is considered to be severely asphyxiated and will require immediate medical attention.
