OverviewApgar Score ChartWhat is the Apgar score?The newborn Apgar score is a quick way for your baby’s healthcare providers to assess your baby’s well-being immediately after birth. The Apgar score is a standard method used to determine if your baby needs immediate medical care. Your baby may need help breathing, may be having heart trouble or may have other medical needs related to transitioning from life in the womb. Show
Your baby’s healthcare providers don’t use the Apgar score to predict your baby’s future development, intelligence or future health. The Apgar tests can’t be used to determine if your baby will have serious or long-term health issues. The Apgar score simply alerts your baby’s healthcare providers if your baby needs a little extra assistance immediately after birth. When is the Apgar score performed?The Apgar score is performed at one minute after your baby’s birth and at five minutes after their birth. The score at one minute assesses how well your newborn tolerated the birth process. The score at five minutes tells your baby’s healthcare providers how well your baby is transitioning to life outside of your womb. Rarely, the Apgar test is performed at 10 minutes after birth as well. This is only done if the Apgar score is less than 7 at 10 minutes. Who performs the Apgar tests?As soon as your baby is born, a labor and delivery nurse will set a timer for one minute and set another timer for five minutes. After each timer goes off, a physician, midwife, nurse or another healthcare provider will perform the Apgar tests. Test DetailsHow does the Apgar test work?Your baby’s Apgar score is based on five factors. Your baby’s healthcare provider will give your baby 0, 1 or 2 points based on their condition in each category of the Apgar test. The points are added up for a total possible score of 10. Apgar stands for Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity and Respiration:
The Apgar scoring assessment is based on the Apgar score chart:
What happens during the Apgar test?Your baby’s healthcare provider will do a quick evaluation of the five factors of the Apgar test, including:
Results and Follow-UpWhat is a normal Apgar score?Your baby’s Apgar score will range from 0 to 10. The higher your baby’s Apgar score, the better they’re doing after birth. Most newborns score 7, 8 or 9 on the Apgar test. A score of 7 or higher is considered a good Apgar score. Very few newborns score a perfect 10 because it takes a while for their hands and feet to warm up and turn pink. About 90% of infants have Apgar scores of 7 to 10. What happens if the Apgar score is low?Any score lower than 7 on the Apgar test is a sign that your baby may need medical attention. The lower the score, the more help your baby needs to adjust to life outside of your womb. Most low Apgar scores are caused by:
If your baby has a low Apgar score, it doesn’t mean they’ll have serious or long-term health conditions. In fact, the Apgar score isn’t meant to predict your baby’s future health at all. However, immediately after birth, your baby may need:
With these treatments, most low Apgar scores at one minute will be close to normal at the five-minute Apgar test. If your baby’s Apgar score is still low after these treatments, they’ll be taken to a special newborn (neonatal) unit for more intensive medical attention. When will I know the results of the Apgar test?Your baby’s healthcare provider will perform the Apgar tests at one minute after your baby’s birth and at five minutes after their birth. They’ll be able to determine your baby’s Apgar scores at these times. If your baby’s healthcare provider has any concerns about your baby’s Apgar score, they’ll let you know what’s going on and what care they’re giving your baby. Frequently Asked QuestionsWho invented the Apgar score?Dr. Virginia Apgar developed the Apgar score in 1952. She came up with the scoring system as a standard method to quickly assess a newborn’s health immediately after birth. Dr. Apgar’s scoring system became the first clinical method to recognize the health needs of newborn babies. Her work also helped spur the development of specialized newborn intensive care. In 1963, the APGAR acronym was coined from Dr. Apgar’s name. A note from Cleveland Clinic After your baby is born, your baby’s healthcare providers will want to assess their health condition. The Apgar score is a simple and fast method to help them determine your baby’s health status. But don’t put too much focus on your baby’s Apgar score. Many newborns with low Apgar scores just need a little more time adjusting to life outside of your womb. Most babies go on to live normal, healthy lives. What scale is used to assess newborns?The Apgar score measures five things to check a baby's health. Each is scored on a scale of 0 to 2, with 2 being the best score: Appearance (skin color) Pulse (heart rate)
What assessment is performed on a newborn at 1 and 5 minutes after birth?Apgar scoring
The Apgar score is assigned in the first few minutes after birth to help identify babies that have difficulty breathing or have a problem that needs further care. The baby is checked at one minute and five minutes after birth for heart and respiratory rates, muscle tone, reflexes, and color.
What is the Apgar scale used for?ABSTRACT: The Apgar score provides an accepted and convenient method for reporting the status of the newborn infant immediately after birth and the response to resuscitation if needed.
What is the significance of 1 and 5 minute Apgar scores of 6?At the one minute APGAR, scores between seven and ten indicate that the baby will need only routine post-delivery care. Scores between four and six indicate that some assistance for breathing might be required. Scores under four can call for prompt, lifesaving measures.
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