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

The Apgar score is a screening test 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. Virginia Apgar, M.D. (1909-1974) introduced the Apgar score in 1952.

Apgar Scoring
Sign A P Activity (Muscle tone) Pulse (heart rate) Grimace (response to smell or foot slap) Appearance (color) Respiration (breathing) 0 points limp absent 1 point limbs flexed < 100 /min 2 points active movement > 100 /min cough or sneeze (nose) cry and withdrawal of foot (foot slap) pink all over good strong cry

absent

grimace

A R

blue absent

body pink extremities blue irregular weak crying

The total Apgar score is the sum of the scores for the five signs.