Screening and diagnosis

Classification and risk stratification

Perioperative care

Quality improvement

Patient education

Nonpharmacologic interventions

Therapeutic procedures

Respiratory support

Follow-up and surveillance

Specific circumstances

Preventative measures

Medical management

Surgical interventions

Inpatient care

Diagnostic procedures

Diagnostic investigations

Insufficient evidence to make a recommendation.

Strongly favor this test or intervention.

The Apgar score is a quick and practical method used to assess a newborn's physical health immediately after birth by evaluating five criteria: color, heart rate, activity, reflex irritability, and respirations. Each of these criteria is scored on a scale from 0 to 2, with the total score ranging from 0 to 10. The evaluation leads to an interpretation of the newborn's condition, guiding potential medical interventions.

Scoring is as follows:

- Color:
  - Completely pink = 2
  - Blue extremities, pink body = 1
  - Blue/pale = 0
- Heart Rate:
  - ≥ 100 BPM = 2
  - < 100 BPM = 1
  - Absent = 0
- Activity:
  - Active motion = 2
  - Some extremity flexion = 1
  - Limp = 0
- Reflex Irritability:
  - Cry = 2
  - Grimace = 1
  - No response = 0
- Respirations:
  - Strong cry = 2
  - Weak cry = 1
  - Absent = 0

The score is obtained by summing the individual scores for these categories. The total score provides a snapshot of the newborn's condition:

- A score of 7 to 10 is deemed Normal, suggesting the newborn is in good health and requires no immediate medical intervention.
- Scores of 4, 5, or 6 are labeled Below normal, indicating that the newborn may need some intervention or monitoring.
- A score of 3 or below is considered Critically low, meaning immediate medical attention is required to address potential health issues.

This straightforward assessment tool assists healthcare providers in determining the subsequent steps for the newborn's care just moments after birth, with higher scores reflecting better physical conditions.

The Apgar Score is a quick, simple, and effective method used to assess the physical condition of a newborn immediately after birth. This scoring system was developed by Dr. Virginia Apgar in 1952. It is applied to newborns at 1 and 5 minutes after birth. 

The Apgar Score evaluates five critical health aspects of the newborn: Appearance (skin color), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (reflex irritability), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration (breathing rate and effort). Each category is scored from 0 to 2, with 2 being the best score. The scores are then summed to provide an overall score ranging from 0 to 10.

The clinical utility of the Apgar Score is to quickly determine if the newborn needs immediate medical or emergency care. It helps in assessing the effectiveness of resuscitation efforts and in deciding whether further resuscitation is required. 

There are no specific exclusion criteria for the use of the Apgar Score. However, it is important to note that the Apgar Score is not designed to predict long-term health outcomes or developmental issues in children. It is a short-term newborn assessment tool.

Apgar score