In 1952, Dr. Virginia Apgar devised a scoring system that was a rapid method of assessing the clinical status of the newborn infant at 1 minute of age and the need for prompt intervention to establish breathing [1]. A second report evaluating a larger number of patients was published in 1958 [2]. The score is reported at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth for all infants, and at 5-minute intervals thereafter until 20 minutes for infants with a score less than 7 [3].
- The Apgar score assesses neonatal heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability, and color [4].
- Each of the five assessments (APGAR) are scored 0, 1 or 2 with a maximum total score of 10 [4].
- The Apgar score should be assigned at one and five minutes after birth [4].
- About 90% of neonates have Apgar scores of 7 to 10, and generally require no special intervention [4].
- Apgar V. A proposal for a new method of evaluation of the newborn infant. Curr Res Anesth Analg 1953;32:260–267. [PubMed]
- Apgar V, Holiday DA, James LS, Weisbrot IM, Berrien C. Evaluation of the newborn infant: second report. JAMA 1958;168:1985–88. [PubMed]
- American Academy of Pediatrics and American Heart Association. Textbook of Neonatal Resuscitation. 6th edition. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics and American Heart Association; 2011.
- American Academy of Pediatrics committee on fetus and newborn, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists committee on obstetric practice. The Apgar Score. Pediatrics. 2015 Oct;136(4):819-22.
