APGAR Score

Subject: Midwifery II (Theory)

Overview

APGAR score is a means of examining, analyzing, and recording the baby's status by watching vital indicators such as appearance, pulse, grimace or response to stimuli, activity or muscular tone, and respiratory effort. The baby is given 2, 1, or 0 points for each vital sign, and the points are totaled. The examination is performed 1 minute and 5 minutes following birth. The most essential findings are the heart rate and breathing effort. Few APGAR scores occur in high-risk pregnancy and lengthy labor. The acronym APGAR stands for A - Appearance, P - Pulse, G - Grimace, A - Activity, and R - Respiratory effort. The most essential findings are the heart rate and breathing effort. Few APGAR scores occur in high-risk pregnancy and lengthy labor.

APGAR score is a means of examining, analyzing, and documenting the baby's status by watching vital indicators such as appearance, pulse, grimace or response to stimuli, activity or muscular tone, and respiratory effort. The baby is given 2, 1, or 0 points for each vital sign, depending on their status, and the points are totaled.

The examination is performed one minute and five minutes following birth. The most essential observations are the heart rate and respiratory effort. Few APGAR scores are common in high-risk pregnancy and lengthy labor.

A typical infant is in good health at birth. It will achieve an APGAR score of 7-10. A score of less than 7 indicates suffocation.

Dr. Virginia Apgar developed the scoring technique in 1953 to allow for a fast assessment of neonatal status.

The APGAR stands for;

A - Appearance

P - Pulse (heartbeat)

G - Grimace

A - Activity

R - Respiratory effort

Purpose

  1. To evaluate the newborn baby's condition.
  2. To aid in the comparability of results and the standardization of management methods.

Timing

The examination is performed one minute and five minutes following birth. The most significant observations are the heartbeat and breathing effort. Few APGAR scores are common in high-risk pregnancy and lengthy labor.

Classification of Scoring

  1. Severe asphyxia 0-2 APGAR score.
  2. Moderate asphyxia 3-4 APGAR score.
  3. Mild asphyxia 5-7 APGAR score.
  4. No asphyxia 7-10 APGAR score.

Table of APGAR Scoring

Signs

O

1

2

1. Color

Blue, pale

Body pink, extremities blue

Complete pink

2. Pulse

Absent

Slow ( below 100)

Over 100

3. Grimace

No response

Grimace

Cry

4. Activity

Flaccid

Flexion of extremities

Active body movements

5. Respiratory effort

Absent

Slow, irregular

Good crying.

 

References

  • kidshealth.org/en/parents/apgar.html
  • https://medlineplus.gov › Medical Encyclopedia
  • www.babycenter.com › Pregnancy › Giving Birth › Labor & Delivery
  • https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/prenatal/delivery-beyond/Pages/Apgar-Scores.aspx
  • Tuitui, Roshani and S. N. Dr. Suwal. Manual of Midwifery II (Intrapartum Care). Bhotahity, Kathmandu: Vidyarthi Pustak Bhandar, 2014.
Things to remember
  • APGAR score is a means of examining, analyzing, and documenting the baby's status by watching vital indicators such as appearance, pulse, grimace or response to stimuli, activity or muscular tone, and respiratory effort.
  • The baby is given 2, 1, or 0 points for each vital sign, depending on their status, and the points are totaled.
  • The examination is performed one minute and five minutes following birth.
  • The most essential observations are the heart rate and respiratory effort.
  • Few APGAR scores are common in high-risk pregnancy and lengthy labor.
  • The acronym APGAR stands for Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiratory effort. The most essential observations are the heart rate and respiratory effort.
  • Few APGAR scores are common in high-risk pregnancy and lengthy labor.
Questions and Answers

This approach involves examining the baby's vital indicators, such as appearance, pulse, grimace or response to stimuli, activity or muscular tone, and breathing effort, in order to analyze, evaluate, and record the status of the infant. The infant receives 2, 1, or 0 points for each vital sign, depending on how well they are doing, and the scores are added together.

One minute and five minutes following delivery are used for the evaluation. The most significant observations are the rate of heartbeat and difficulty of breathing. Few APGAR scores occur often in high-risk pregnancies and protracted labors.

The acronym APGAR means;

  • A - Appearance
  • P - Pulse ( heart beat )
  • G - Grimace
  • A - Activity
  • R - Respiratory effort

Classification of Scoring

  • Severe asphyxia 0-2 APGAR score.
  • Moderate asphyxia 3-4 APGAR score.
  • Mild asphyxia 5-7 APGAR score.
  • No asphyxia 7-10 APGAR score.

Table of APGAR scoring

 

Signs

O

1

2

1. Color

Blue, pale

Body pink, extremities blue

Complete pink

2. Pulse

Absent

Slow ( below 100)

Over 100

3. Grimace

No response

Grimace

Cry

4. Activity

Flaccid

Flexion of extremities

Active body movements

5. Respiratory effort

Absent

Slow, irregular

Good crying.

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