Apgar Score

Result:

Interpretation

Apgar Score

  • Devised by Virginia Apgar in 1952[1]
  • Used widely to quickly assess the health of newborns immediately after birth
  • Not useful to predict specific neurologic outcomes in term infants[4]
  • No consistent data exists on the significance of the Apgar score in preterm infants[4]

Score interpretation

ScoreInterpretation
≥ 7Normal
3–6Moderate neurologic/cardiorespiratory depression
< 3Severe neurologic/cardiorespiratory depression

Formula

Apgar Score = A + P + G + A + R

Score of 0Score of 1Score of 2
AppearanceBlue or pale all overExtremities blue; body pinkExtremities and body pink
PulseAbsent< 100≥ 100
Grimace to nose cathNo reactionGrimaceSneeze, cough
ActivityNone; limpSome flexionFlexed arms and legs that resist extension
RespirationAbsentWeak, irregular, gaspingStrong cry

References

  1. APGAR V: A proposal for a new method of evaluation of the newborn infant. Curr Res Anesth Analg 32:260, 1953 Jul-Aug  [PMID:13083014]
  2. Committee on Obstetric Practice, ACOG, American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Fetus and Newborn, ACOG: ACOG Committee Opinion. Number 333, May 2006 (replaces No. 174, July 1996): The Apgar score. Obstet Gynecol 107:1209, 2006  [PMID:16648434]
  3. Casey BM, McIntire DD, Leveno KJ: The continuing value of the Apgar score for the assessment of newborn infants. N Engl J Med 344:467, 2001  [PMID:11172187]
  4. Finster M, Wood M: The Apgar score has survived the test of time. Anesthesiology 102:855, 2005  [PMID:15791116]