Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
Read more health news
APGAR
Overview & Description
The APGAR score is a quick test done on an infant at 1, 5, and sometimes 10 minutes after birth to determine his or her physical condition.
Who is a candidate for the test?
All babies delivered in a hospital or birthing center have APGAR testing by trained delivery room staff. The test is used as a screening tool so doctors can decide what medical help may be needed to stabilize a newborn in distress.
How is the test performed?
The APGAR score is based on looking at five aspects of the infant, first at 1 minute, then again at 5 minutes. If fetal distress was present during labor and delivery, a 10-minute score may also be performed. Each aspect of the test is scored from 0 to 2 points, depending upon the health of the infant, as follows:
Results and Values
What do the test results mean?
The 1-minute APGAR score tells how well the newborn did during labor and the birth process, for either vaginal or cesarean birth. The 5-minute APGAR score tells how well the newborn adapts to the environment outside the mother's womb. A score of 8 to 10 is ideal, indicating a healthy, vigorous infant. A score of 10 is very rare as most babies' color is a bit blue right after birth, because of the stress of the birth. Any score less than 7 at the 5-minute check indicates that the newborn may need some help in adjusting to the environment. This may include:
These infants tend to have lower APGAR scores and possible problems:
Attribution
Author:Eva Martin, MD
Date Written:
Editor:Crist, Gayle P., MS, BA
Edit Date:07/26/02
Reviewer:Kathleen A. MacNaughton, RN, BSN
Date Reviewed:10/07/02