Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
APGAR score
Pronunciation: AP-gar
A rapid assessment tool evaluating newborn condition at birth using five criteria.
Full Definition
A standardized scoring system developed by Virginia Apgar to quickly evaluate a newborn's condition immediately after birth. The score assesses five components: Appearance (skin color), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (reflex irritability), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiratory effort. Each component is scored 0, 1, or 2, with a total possible score of 10. Scores are typically recorded at 1 and 5 minutes after birth, with additional assessments at 10, 15, and 20 minutes if the 5-minute score is low.
Usage
Usage note: Capitalize 'APGAR' when referring to the score; named after Dr. Virginia Apgar, not an acronym despite common backronym.
In Context
- "The infant's APGAR scores were 7 at one minute and 9 at five minutes." — Birth record
- "Low APGAR scores may indicate the need for immediate resuscitation measures." — Clinical protocol
Also known as
Apgar assessment
Don't confuse with
APGAR
Apgar