A measure of the physical condition of a newborn infant.
It is obtained by adding points (2, 1, or 0) for heart rate, respiratory
effort, muscle tone, response to stimulation, and skin coloration; a score of
ten represents the best possible condition.
Origin
1960s: named after Virginia Apgar (1909–74), the American
anesthesiologist who devised this method of assessment in 1953.
|
Sr. No. |
Acronym |
Score of 0 |
Score of 1 |
Score of 2 |
|
1. |
Respiration |
Absent |
Swallow, irregular |
Good, crying |
|
2. |
Muscle tone |
Flaccid |
Some flexion of extremities |
Active body movements |
|
3. |
Reflex response |
No response |
Grimace |
Cry |
|
4. |
Heart rate |
Absent |
Below 100 |
More than 100 |
|
5. |
Skin color |
Blue, Pale |
Body pink extremities blue |
Completely pink |
Total score – 10
1. Apgar score between 8-10 indicates no depression.
2. Apgar score between 4-7 indicates mild depression.
3. Apgar score between 0-3 indicates severe depression.
