Apgar scores are measurements and observations made by a health
professional at 1 and 5 minutes after birth to assess a newborn's
health.
The health professional checks 5 areas and gives the newborn a
score ranging from 0 to 2 in each of the 5 areas. With 2 being the highest
number a baby can get in each area, when the scores are added up, the maximum
score is 10. A total score of 7 to 10 is normal.
The 5 areas checked include the newborn's:
- Heart rate.
- Skin
color.
- Muscle tone (judged by whether the newborn's arms and legs
are flexed or limp).
- Breathing.
- Reflex irritability
(judged by whether the newborn cries or reacts when the skin is stroked or
touched).