Apgar scoring system- an initial newborn assessment that provides a numeric indicator

of the baby’s physiologic capacities to adapt to extrauterine life. Carried out 60 seconds/1
minute after birth and repeated in 5 minutes.
7-10 --- normal
4-6 --- suggest that baby is having difficulty (may need suctioning)
0-3 --- baby’s condition is critical requires special resuscitative measures and care

Pulse- the wave of blood within an artery that is created by contraction of the left
ventricle of the heart.
Bradycardia – abnormal, slow pulse rate below the minimum normal value (adult 60-
100 bpm; infant 120-160 bpm)
Tachycardia – abnormal, rapid pulse rate above the minimum normal value (adult 60-
100 bpm; infant 120-160 bpm)

Respiration – the act of breathing, transport of oxygen from the atmosphere to the body
cell and transport of carbon dioxide from the body cell to the atmosphere.
Bradypnea – slow respiratory rate below the minimum normal value ( adult 16-20 rpm;
infant 30 – 60 rpm )
Tachypnea –rapid respiratory rate above the minimum normal value ( adult 16-20 rpm;
infant 30 – 60 rpm )

Reflex – an automatic response of the body to a stimulus.

Muscle tone- is the continuous and passive partial contraction of the muscles. It helps
maintain posture

Cyanosis - is a blue coloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to the presence of
deoxygenated hemoglobin in blood vessels near the skin surface. Deoxygenated
hemoglobin is more prone to the optical bluish discoloration, and also produces
vasoconstriction that makes it more evident.

Acrocyanosis in newborn - a bluish discoloration of a newborns hands and feet. This is

normal when your baby is cold or crying if the rest of your baby's skin is pink.

Sign 0 1 2
1. Heart rate Absent < 100 or below 100 >100 or above 100

2. Respiration Absent Slow irregular Regular rate, lusty cry

3. Reflex No response Grimace, some motion Crying
irritability
4. Muscle tone Flaccid Some flexion of extremities Active flexion/motion
5. Color Cyanotic/pale Pinkish body, bluish Pinkish body and
extremities--acrocyanosis extremities