Apgar Score

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Medical Author: John Mersch, MD, FAAP
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

• What is the Apgar score?
• How is the Apgar score done?
• What does a high or low Apgar score mean?
• When is the Apgar scoring done?
• What does a persistently low Apgar score mean?
• Why was the Apgar score developed?

What is the Apgar score?

Ninety percent of term infants make a successful and uneventful transition from living within the womb to the outside world. About 10% will need some medical intervention and approximately 1% will require extensive resuscitation. A reproducible and rapidly determined rating system is necessary for evaluation the newborn infant. The Apgar score is a practical method for assessing a neonate.

How is the Apgar score done?

The Apgar score is a number calculated by scoring the heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, skin color, and reflex irritability (response to a catheter in the nostril). Each of these objective signs can receive 0, 1, or 2 points.

What does a high or low Apgar score mean?

A perfect Apgar score of 10 means an infant is in the best possible condition. An infant with an Apgar score of 0-3 needs immediate resuscitation. It is important to note that diligent care of the newborn is an immediate response to the current status of the infant. It is inappropriate to wait until Apgar scores are obtained to begin or continue to address the needs of the neonate.

When is the Apgar scoring done?

The Apgar score is done routinely 60 seconds after the birth of the infant and then is repeated five minutes after birth.

In the event of a difficult resuscitation, the Apgar score may be done again at 10, 15, and 20 minutes.