The APGAR scale, also known as an APGAR score or score, is a test that is performed on the newborn shortly after birth that assesses their overall status and vitality, which helps identify whether any additional treatment or medical care is needed after birth. .
This assessment is made from the first minute of birth and is repeated again 5 minutes after delivery, taking into account the characteristics of the baby such as activity, heart rate, color, breathing and natural reflexes.
When evaluating the APGAR index, 5 large groups of newborn characteristics are taken into account, including:
Each group receives the value corresponding to the response that best represents the baby’s current condition. In the end, this score is added together to get a unique value, which will vary between 0 and 10.
The interpretation of the value that appears after the sum of the score of all dimensions should always be performed by a doctor, however, it is normal that a healthy baby is born, at least, with a score of 7 in the first minute.
This type of score below 10 in the first minute of life is quite common and occurs because most babies need to be sucked to remove all amniotic fluid from the lungs before they can breathe normally. However, about 5 minutes, it is common for the value to increase to 10.
The appearance of a score below 7, in the first minute, is more common in babies born:
In these cases, the lowest score is not a concern, however, it should increase after 5 minutes.
Most babies with a score of less than 7 on the APGAR scale are healthy and, as a result, this value increases during the first 5 to 10 minutes of life. However, when the result remains low, it may be necessary to stay in a neonatology unit, to receive more specific care and ensure that they develop as best as possible.
The low value of APGAR does not predict any outcomes about the child’s intelligence, personality, health or behavior in the future.