Apgar Score

The Apgar Score is a quick assessment used by healthcare providers to evaluate a newborn's health immediately after birth. It looks at five key areas: heart rate, breathing effort, muscle tone, reflex response, and skin coloration. Each area is scored from 0 to 2, with a maximum total of 10. This helps determine if the baby needs additional medical attention right away. The assessment is typically done at 1 and 5 minutes after birth, providing a quick snapshot of the newborn's overall condition and helping guide initial care.