The APGAR test is a standard procedure that is administered for every infant. Your baby’s score is very important because it will determine their medical care during their first few days at the hospital. Every baby gets an APGAR score, but as a parent, it can be a completely foreign topic that leaves you worried and confused, especially if your infant ends up getting a low score. Keep in mind that most babies RARELY get a perfect score.
Generally speaking, the “APGAR Scoring System” is a method to quickly summarize the health of a newborn. In short, it is a baby's first assessment. It was developed in 1952 by Dr. Virginia Apgar. Every baby is scored at one minute of life and then again at five. Your baby will continue to be scored in five-minute increments until he achieves a 7 or higher.
What Does APGAR Stand For?
A stands for Appearance (skin color, pink or blue)
P stands for Pulse (heart rate or beats per minute)
G stands for Grimace response (reflexes and crying)
A stands for Activity (muscle tone and flexion)
R stands for Respiration (breathing rate, effort, and pattern)
What Does An APGAR Score Mean?
A score between 7 and 10 is considered normal. A score between 4 and 6 indicates that breathing assistance may be required. A score under 4 means that prompt, life-saving resuscitation measures are necessary.
To get the overall score for an infant, a score of 0 to 2 will be assigned for each of the 5 categories.
Heart rate:
0 means there is no heart rate
1 means there are fewer than 100 beats per minute (not very responsive)
2 means there are more than 100 beats per minute (baby is vigorous)
Respiration:
0 means there is no breathing
1 means there is a weak cry
2 means there is a strong cry
Muscle tone:
0 means the baby is limp
1 means the baby has some flexion
2 means the baby has active motion
Reflex Response:
0 means no response to their airways being stimulated
1 means there is a grimace during stimulation
2 means there is a grimace and cough/sneeze during stimulation
Color:
0 means the baby's entire body is blue/pale
1 means the baby has good color except on their hands/feet (acrocyanosis)
2 means the baby is completely pink and has good color
What Happens If My Baby Has A Low APGAR Score?
Medical staff will first focus on getting your baby into a stable condition and then they will seek to find answers to the questions that will be weighing on your mind, like what has caused your baby’s low score.
As medical staff works to discover if there is an underlying condition or another cause of your baby's low score, they will keep you updated throughout the process. More importantly, they will keep you informed about your baby's current state of health and what to expect in the coming days.
More information can be found at: https://www.birthinjurysafety.org/birth-injuries/apgar-scoring-system.html
