Almario , Michelle

BSN 2A

Apgar Score:
The Apgar score is a test used to measure the vital signs of a baby at birth.

The Apgar score is now used worldwide to quickly assess the health of an
infant one minute and five minutes after birth. The 1-minute Apgar score
measures how well the newborn tolerated the birthing process. The 5-minute
Apgar score assesses how well the newborn is adapting to the environment.
What Will Happen?
At one and five minutes after your baby is born, the attending health care
provider will assess five vital areas of newborn health. The Apgar score uses
measures of 0, 1, or 2 for each category, with the best possible total score
equaling 10.
1. Heart Rate:
a. Absent heartbeat = 0.
b. Slow heartbeat (less than 100 beats per minute) = 1.
c. Adequate heartbeat (more than 100 beats per minute) = 2.

2. Respiration:
a. Not breathing = 0.
b. Weak cry, irregular breathing = 1.
c. Strong cry = 2.
3. Muscle Tone:
a. Limp, flaccid = 0.
b. Some flexing or bending = 1.
c. Active motion = 2.
4. Response to Stimulation (also called Reflex Irritability):
a. No response = 0.
b. Grimace = 1.
c. Vigorous cry or withdrawal = 2.
5. Color:
a. Pale or blue = 0.
b. Normal color body but blue extremities = 1.
c. Normal color = 2.
Results:
A score of seven to 10 is normal and indicates your newborn is in good
condition. A score of 10 is very unusual. Almost all newborns lose one point for
blue hands and feet.
Any score less than seven indicates your baby needs assistance making
the transition to life outside the womb. Health-care personnel should take
appropriate action, for example, helping the infant breathe. The Apgar score
may be repeated at 10 minutes and later to assess the effectiveness of the
intervention or treatment.

APGAR Scoring for Newborns

A score is given for each sign at one minute and five minutes after the
birth. If there are problems with the baby an additional score is given at 10
minutes. A score of 7-10 is considered normal, while 4-7 might require some
resuscitative measures, and a baby with apgars of 3 and below requires
immediate resuscitation.

Sign

0 Points

1 Point

2 Points

Activity (Muscle
Tone)

Absent

Arms and Legs Flexed

Active Movement

Pulse

Absent

Below 100 bpm

Above 100 bpm

Grimace (Reflex
Irritability)

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