APGAR score
Also written as: APGAR — Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration
Standardized assessment tool evaluating newborn health at one and five minutes after birth.
Full Definition
The APGAR score is a clinical assessment tool developed by Virginia Apgar to evaluate newborn infants immediately after birth. It assesses five criteria: Appearance (skin color), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (reflex response), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration (breathing effort). Each criterion is scored 0-2, with a maximum total score of 10. Scores are typically recorded at 1 and 5 minutes after birth, with additional assessments if initial scores are low.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalize APGAR when referring to the score, but use lowercase 'apgar' when used as an adjective.
In Context
- "The infant's APGAR score was 8 at one minute and 9 at five minutes, indicating good adaptation to extrauterine life." — Delivery room documentation
- "Low APGAR scores may necessitate immediate neonatal resuscitation interventions." — Clinical protocol