What is the Apgar score used for?

The Apgar score is specifically designed to assess the immediate health of a newborn immediately after birth, typically at 1 minute and then again at 5 minutes. This quick evaluation helps determine how well the baby tolerated the birthing process and how well they are doing outside the womb. The score is based on five criteria: appearance (skin color), pulse (heart rate), grimace response (reflexes), activity (muscle tone), and respiration (breathing effort). Each criterion is scored from 0 to 2, leading to a total score ranging from 0 to 10. A higher score indicates a healthier newborn.

This focused assessment at these critical intervals allows healthcare providers to identify any immediate medical issues requiring prompt intervention, thereby guiding further care for the newborn.