|
Overview :
The Apgar
scoring system is used to assess newborn infants for depression of
cardiopulmonary and neurological function. Scoring is done at 1 and 5 minutes
after birth.
|
Parameter |
Finding |
Points |
|
color |
blue,
pale |
0 |
|
|
body
pink, extremities blue |
1 |
|
|
all
pink |
2 |
|
heart
rate |
absent |
0 |
|
|
<
100 |
1 |
|
|
>
100 (will use >= 100) |
2 |
|
respiration |
absent |
0 |
|
|
irregular, slow |
1 |
|
|
good,
crying |
2 |
|
reflex response to nose
catheter |
none |
0 |
|
|
grimace |
1 |
|
|
sneeze, cough |
2 |
|
muslce tone |
limp |
0 |
|
|
some
flexion of extremities |
1 |
|
|
active |
2 |
Apgar score
=
=
SUM(points for all 5 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum
score: 0
• maximum
score: 10
•
The lower the score the more profoundly affected the infant is, with scores
under 5 considered serious.
•
A low initial scores with no improvement in the 5 minute score is associated
with neonatal problems including death.
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Apgar
V. A proposal for a new method of evaluation of the newborn infant. Anesth
Analg. 1953; 32: 260.
Berkow
R, Fletcher AJ, et al. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 16th edition.
1992. pages 1978-1979.
Graef
JW. Manual of Pediatric Therapeutics, 5th edition. Little, Brown and Co.
1994.
Nelson
WE, Behrman RE, et al (editors). Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 15th Edition. WB
Saunders Company. 1996. Chapter 79: The newborn infant, pages 433-440. Table
79-2, page 438
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