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What does the Apgar score of a newborn mean: the doctor explains
This is the very first test in a baby’s life: the further actions of doctors depend on how many points the baby receives on the Apgar scale.
As soon as the baby was born, doctors immediately need to assess the state of his health. For this, a test on the Apgar scale is needed – doctors will be guided by its results, whether the child needs additional medical care. Heart rate, muscle tone and other parameters are assessed.
Neonatologist, pediatric neurologist
“The Apgar scale is given to absolutely all children, without exception. The first seconds of life are the time of emergency adaptation of the child to the air environment, – the specialist told the site. … “The child takes his first spontaneous breath, thus triggering the respiratory system.”
A loud cry is the first indicator of a baby’s health. It means that the child was able to take a really deep strong breath, which means that asphyxia – oxygen starvation – does not threaten him, and emergency help is not needed.
The test is carried out twice: in the first and fifth minutes of the baby’s life.
What are the parameters for assessing the child’s condition
The very name of the test – Apgar – is deciphered as follows: A — appearance (color of the skin), P – puls (heart rate), G — grimace (reactions to external stimuli), A — activity (muscle tone), R — respiration (breath).
For each parameter, obstetricians give the baby from 0 to 2 points, where a two is the best result.
Color of the skin
0 – white or bluish;
1 – the body is pink, and the arms and legs are pale or bluish;
2 – the whole body is pink.
Heart rate
0 – no pulse;
1 – less than 100 beats per minute;
2 – more than 100 beats per minute.
Reaction to stimuli (cleaning the mouth and nose)
0 – no reaction;
1 – grimace;
2 – the child pulls away, sneezes, coughs or cries.
Muscle tone
0 – the baby does not move;
1 – arms and legs are bent, movements are weak;
2 – active spontaneous movements.
Breath
0 – no breathing;
1 – infrequent or irregular, irregular breathing, weak crying;
2 – normal breathing rhythm, loud crying.
The sum of all points is added up, the resulting number is entered into the child’s exchange card.
What does Apgar score mean?
If the baby has received seven or more points, this means that he is healthy. And even if the score is slightly lower, this does not necessarily mean that the child has serious health problems. But the fact that he needs urgent medical help is a fact.
Points total from 1 to 3 – critical condition, the child needs resuscitation. The risk of developing disorders and complications in the baby is high.
From 4 7 up – moderate condition.
From 8 10 up – satisfactory condition of the baby.
If the first score is low, and the second is satisfactory, most likely, there will be no serious damage to organs and systems.
Risk group
In the first minute, children often receive an underestimated score in such cases:
severe pregnancy;
childbirth by cesarean section;
difficult and prolonged childbirth;
premature birth.
What to do if a child has a low Apgar score
There is little that parents can do here – it all depends on the doctors and the baby himself. If a child received a mark below seven points, he automatically falls into the risk group – he has a high probability of developing disorders of the nervous system. It can be sleep problems and developmental delay. The kid will need additional research, which will be prescribed by a doctor, and supervision by a neurologist. If necessary, the specialist will prescribe adequate treatment.
But it must be remembered that many children who receive a low “entrance score”, over time, do not differ in any way from their peers. They sooner or later adapt to new living conditions and develop normally. Doctors say the Apgar score is not a long-term prognosis. It determines only the current state of the child at a given moment. If your toddler gets the help and care they need, they are more likely to be fine.