It is done at the 1st and 5th minutes after birth.
In the 5th minutes less than 7: that could mean hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy
|
Findings |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
skin color |
pale |
Pink body, purple limbs |
Pink |
|
pulse |
no |
<100/Min |
>100/Min |
|
reflex |
no |
Grimace |
Head-turning, sneezing, strong crying |
|
tonic |
no |
slight flexion of the limbs |
light movements semi flexion |
|
brething |
no |
irregular |
crying - regular |
Factors affecting the Apgar score
FALSE-POSITIVE (Low Apgar without fetal acidosis or hypoxia)
Immaturity
Analgesics, narcotics, sedatives
Magnesium sulfate
Acute cerebral trauma
Rapid delivery Congenital myopathy
Congenital neuropathy
Spinal cord trauma
FALSE-POSITIVE (Low Apgar without fetal acidosis or hypoxia)
Immaturity
Analgesics, narcotics, sedatives
Magnesium sulfate
Acute cerebral trauma
Rapid delivery Congenital myopathy
Congenital neuropathy
Spinal cord trauma
Central nervous system anomaly
Lung anomaly (diaphragmatic hemi)
Airway obstruction (choanal atresia)
Congenital pneumonia and sepsis
Preceding episodes of fetal asphyxia Hemorrhage Hypovolemia
FALSE-NEGATIVE (Acidosis is present, APGAR is normal)
Maternal acidosis
Lung anomaly (diaphragmatic hemi)
Airway obstruction (choanal atresia)
Congenital pneumonia and sepsis
Preceding episodes of fetal asphyxia Hemorrhage Hypovolemia
FALSE-NEGATIVE (Acidosis is present, APGAR is normal)
Maternal acidosis
Elevated fetal catecholamine levels