Apgar score

Introduction

Introduced in 1952 to evaluate the well-being of newborns.

The 5-minute Appgar score predicts neonatal mortality.

60 second or 5 minute Apgar score:

sign	assessment	score
heart rate	absent	0
heart rate	< 100	1
heart rate	> 100	2
respiratory rate	absent	0
respiratory rate	slow,irregular	1
respiratory rate	good, screams	2
muscle tone	limp	0
muscle tone	good in limbs	1
muscle tone	active movement	2
reaction to	none	0
nasal catheter	makes grimaces	1
-	cough or sneeze	2
skin color	pale	0
skin color	rosy trunk, blue	1
skin color	rosy	2

score: total points 8-10 is normal

Clinical significance

• Apgar scores <3 associated with anoxia-related death

More general terms

• numerical rating scale (NRS)
• clinical procedure