Apgar Score.4(p387-389),6-8

15.12.3 Apgar Score.^4,6-8

This score is an assessment of a newborn’s physical well-being based on the 5 parameters of heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, reflex irritability, and color, each of which is rated 0, 1, or 2; the 5 ratings are then summed. The Apgar score is often reported as 2 numbers, from 0 to 10, separated by a virgule or forward slash, reflecting assessment at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth. In general medical journals, however, it is best to specify the time intervals, especially as the Apgar score may be assessed at other intervals, eg, 10, 15, or 20 minutes.

The score is named after the late anesthesiologist Virginia Apgar, MD; thus, “Apgar” is not printed in all capital letters as though for an acronym (although versions of such an acronym have been created as a mnemonic device).