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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.
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Newborn Scoring - 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:

heart rate: 0 = no heart beat; 1 = heart rate less than 100; 2 = heart rate more than 100

respiratory effort: 0 = no breaths; 1 = slow, irregular breathing; 2 = crying with breaths

muscle tone: 0 = flaccid; 1 = some flexion of extremities; 2 = active motion

reflex irritability, which is how much the newborn reacts in response to stimuli: 0 = no response; 1 = grimacing; 2 = vigorous cry

color: 0 = pale blue; 1 = body is pink, but extremities are blue; 2 = body and extremities are pink

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