APGAR
Alternate Names : Newborn Scoring
What do the test results mean?
The 1-minute APGAR score tells how well the newborn
did during labor and the birth process, for either vaginal or cesarean
birth. The 5-minute APGAR score tells how well the newborn
adapts to the environment outside the mother's womb. A score of 8 to
10 is ideal, indicating a healthy, vigorous infant. A score of 10 is very
rare as most babies' color is a bit blue right after birth, because of the stress
of the birth. Any score less than 7 at
the 5-minute check indicates that the newborn may need some help in
adjusting to the environment. This may include:
continued monitoring and observation in the nursery
continued heart rate monitoring (EKG)
IV fluids
glucose feedings
antibiotics
blood testing
These infants tend to have lower APGAR scores and possible
problems:
premature infants
multiple birth babies, such as twins or triplets
infants with intrauterine growth retardation
newborns deprived of oxygen for a long time during labor
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