APGAR SCORE

INTRODUCTION

• Apgar scoring is recorded in all newborn infants at 1 minute and 5 minutes

• There are five parts of an Apgar score. Each category is weighted evenly and
assigned a value of 0, 1, or 2.
• The components are then added together to give a total score that is recorded at
1 and 5 minutes after birth.
• A score of 7 to 10 is considered reassuring, a score of 4 to 6 is moderately
abnormal, and a score of 0 to 3 is deemed to be low in full-term and late
preterm infants.
• At 5 minutes, when an infant has a score of less than 7, Neonatal Resuscitation
Program guidelines recommend continued recording at 5-minute intervals up to
20 minutes
 CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

• Apgar scores were designed to help identify infants that require respiratory
support or other resuscitative measures, not as an outcome measure.
• The Apgar score alone should not be considered evidence of asphyxia or proof
of an intrapartum hypoxic event. A low Apgar score of 0 to 1 at 1 minute is not
predictive of adverse clinical outcome or long-term health issues since most
infants, even those with very low 1-minute scores will have normal scores by 5
minutes.
• Low Apgar scores at 5 minutes correlate with mortality and may confer an
increased risk of cerebral palsy in population studies but not necessarily with
an individual neurologic disability.
 CAUSES FOR LOW APGAR

• C-Section errors and delays.

• Fetal monitoring errors.
• Infections.
• Placental Abruption.
• Preterm birth.
• Prolonged and arrested labor.
• Umbilical cord problems.
• Birth asphyxia
Thank You