What is the Apgar scale?
The Apgar scale is the first medical exam a newborn receives immediately following birth.
Developed by anesthesiologist Virginia Apgar, it enables the medical team to make a quick assessment of a newborn's general condition.
At one minute and five minutes after birth, the medical team will observe the baby and evaluate the following conditions:
* Heart rate
* Respiratory effort
* Muscle tone
* Reflex irritability (in response to a catheter in the nose)
* Colour (doctors check the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands in children of colour.)
Each characteristic is given a score between 0 and 2 and then all the scores are totaled.
Nine out of 10 newborns pass the test with flying colours.
Infants who score between seven and ten are in good to excellent condition and usually require only routine post-delivery care.
Those who score between four and six are in fair condition and may require some resuscitative measures.
Factors such as premature birth or medication may lead to a lower score, but they probably don't reflect your baby's true condition.
Infants who score under four may be in poor condition and require immediate and maximal life-saving measures.
Why is this exam performed?
The delivery team observes a newborn according to the Apgar scale to assess the infant's general condition and to determine if any medical intervention or resuscitation is required.
Does the Apgar score predict future health problems?
No. It was once thought that newborns whose scores remained low five minutes after birth were likely to have future neurological problems, but recent studies indicate that most of these babies grow to be normal and healthy.
Apgar scoring system
Keep in mind that the Apgar scale is simply an effective way for doctors to assess a newborn's physical condition and ensure that he or she doesn't need any medical intervention after birth.
Very few infants receive a perfect ten because most newborns' hands and feet remain blue until they are quite warm.
So, as long as your baby tests in a safe range, don't worry - you don't have to be concerned about perfect scores until it's time for school report cards. - Staff doctor