APGAR Score


APGAR Score

 

APGAR Scoring is a numerical system of rating the condition of a newborn.  It evealuates the newborn's heart rate, respiratory rate, muscle tone, reflex irritability, and color.  It should be done 1 and 5 minutes after birth.

 

The APGAR system scoring helps distinguish between newborns who need only routine care and those who need greater assistance.  The system also predicts long-term survival.

 

The parameters for APGAR scoring inlude:

Apperance

Pulse rate

Grimace

Activity

Respiratory effort

 

A score of 0, 1, or 2 is given to the above parameters.  The minimum total score is 0 and the maximum is 10.  A score of 7 to 10 indicates an active and vigorous newborn who requires only routine care.  A score of 4 to 6 indicates a moderately distressed newborn who requires oxygenation and stimulation.  A score less than 4 is a severely distress newborn who requires immediate resuscitaion.  By determining the APGAR score at 1 and 5 minutes, you can determine whether intervention has caused a change in the newborns status.

 

APGAR Score table below

 

 Score 0 1 2
 Appearance   Blue or pale   Body pink; hands and feet blue   Completely pink
 Pulse (Heart Rate)   Absent   Less than 100 beats per minute   More than 100 beats per minute
 Grimace (Reflex Irritability)   Absent   Grimace   Grimace and cough or sneeze
 Activity (Muscle Tone)   Limp   Some flexing of arms and legs   Active motion
 Respiration   Absent   Slow, irregular; weak cry   Good; strong cry

                                                                                                                                          TOTAL SCORE=

 

Sources:

Paramedic Care Principles and Practice Vol 5

http://www.marshfieldclinic.org/patients/?page=cattails_2006_marapr_apgar2