The Apgar score is a test given to newborns soon after birth. This test checks a baby's heart rate, muscle tone, and other signs to see if extra medical care or emergency care is needed. The test is usually given twice: once at 1 minute after birth, and again at 5 minutes after birth
2. INTRODUCTION
ā¢ A test developed in 1952 by DR. VERGINIA
APGAR
ā¢ Its also called as babies first test after birth
ā¢ Quick assessment of the newborns overall
well being
ā¢ Give one minute after birth and five minute
after birth
ā¢ Rate the five vital areas
3. Conti..
ā¢ The 1-minute score determines how well the
baby tolerated the birthing process.
ā¢ The 5-minute score tells the health care
provider how well the baby is doing outside
the mother's womb.
ā¢ In rare cases, the test will be done 10 minutes
after birth
4. What Does "Apgar" Mean ?
ā¢ Apgar stands for
"Appearance, Pulse, Grimac
e, Activity,
and Respiration."
ā¢ In the test, five things are
used to check a baby's
health.
ā¢ Each is scored on a scale of
0 to 2, with 2 being the best
score:
6. WHY IT HAS TO BE DONE ?
ā¢ To assess the babyās
vital signs
ā¢ The score is helpful for
later evaluation.
7. THE 5 SIGNS
ā¢ 1. COLOR
ā¢ If the skin color is pale blue, the infant scores
0 for color.
ā¢ If the body is pink and the extremities are
blue, the infant scores 1 for color.
ā¢ If the entire body is pink, the infant scores 2
for color.
8. 2. RESPIRATORY EFFORTS
ā¢ Breathing effort:
ā¢ If the infant is not breathing, the respiratory
score is 0.
ā¢ If the respirations are slow or irregular, the
infant scores 1 for respiratory effort.
ā¢ If the infant cries well, the respiratory score is
2.
9. 3. HEART RATE
ā¢ If there is no heartbeat, the infant scores 0 for
heart rate.
ā¢ If heart rate is less than 100 beats per minute,
the infant scores 1 for heart rate.
ā¢ If heart rate is greater than 100 beats per
minute, the infant scores 2 for heart rate.
10. 4. MUSCLE TONE
ā¢ Muscle tone:
ā¢ If muscles are loose and floppy, the infant
scores 0 for muscle tone.
ā¢ If there is some muscle tone, the infant scores
1.
ā¢ If there is active motion, the infant scores 2
for muscle tone.
11. 5. REFLEXES
ā¢ Grimace response or reflex irritability is a term
describing response to stimulation, such as a
mild pinch:
ā¢ If there is no reaction, the infant scores 0 for
reflex irritability.
12. Conti..
ā¢ If there is grimacing, the infant scores 1 for
reflex irritability.
ā¢ If there is grimacing and a cough, sneeze, or
vigorous cry, the infant scores 2 for reflex
irritability.
13. RESULT
ā¢ 10 out of 10 is a perfect score
ā¢ The higher the score, the better the condition
ā¢ A score over 7 indicates good condition
ā¢ A score less than 7 may indicate some medical
assistance
14. What Abnormal Results Mean
ā¢ Any score lower than 7 is a sign that the baby needs
medical attention. The lower the score, the more
help the baby needs to adjust outside the mother's
womb.
ā¢ Most of the time a low Apgar score is caused by:
ā¢ Difficult birth
ā¢ C-section
ā¢ Fluid in the baby's airway
15. Conti..
ā¢ A baby with a low Apgar score may need:
ā¢ Oxygen and clearing out the airway to help
with breathing
ā¢ Physical stimulation to get the heart beating
at a healthy rate
16. Conti..
ā¢ Most of the time, a low score at 1 minute is
near-normal by 5 minutes.
ā¢ A lower Apgar score does not mean a child will
have serious or long-term health problems.
The Apgar score is not designed to predict the
future health of the child.