APGAR Score

So, what is Apgar score?  Why is it used? These are the common questions which arise in the minds of the parents who are blessed with kids for the first time. So, this article about Apgar score will tell the importance of Apgar score and its usage.

The Apgar score was developed in 1952 by an anesthesiologist named Virginia Apgar. Apgar score is the very first test which is given to a new born. The test was designed to quickly calculate a newborn’s physical condition and to conclude need for extra medical or emergency care.
A - Appearance (skin coloration)
P - Pulse (heart rate)
G - Grimace (medically known as "reflex irritability")
A - Activity and muscle tone
R - Respiration (breathing rate and effort)
The test is usually given twice to the baby: once at 1 minute after birth and again at 5 minutes after birth. The above 5 factors are evaluated and are cored in the scale from 0 to 2.

Factor	0	1	2
Appearance	Skin is pale blue	Body is pink and the extremities blue in color	Entire body is pink
Pulse	Not breathing	Beats per minute less than 100	Beats per minute greater than 100
Grimace	No reaction	Lacking strength to cry	Cough, sneeze, vigorous cry
Activity	Muscles are loose and floppy	If some muscle tone	If there is active motion
Respiration	Not breathing	Slow and irregular	Cries well

The Apgar rating is based on the total score of 1 to 10. The higher the score, the better the baby is doing after birth.
A score of 7, 8 or 9 is normal and is a sign that the newborn is in good health. A score of 10 is very unusual.

                                                                                           Guest Post By:

                                                           Divya Singaraju