Apgar scale – assessing the condition of the newborn

The Apgar Rock is a medical tool that was created in the 1950s by an American physician, Dr. Virginie Apgar.It is a commonly used tool for assessing the condition of a newborn immediately after birth.The Apgar score helps doctors and nurses determine whether a newborn is healthy and stable or requires immediate medical intervention.In this article, we will take a closer look at the Apgar Scale, its parameters, the interpretation of the results and its importance in the care of newborns.

What is the apgar scale?

The Apgar Scale is a tool for assessing the condition of a newborn baby developed by Dr. Virginie Apgar in 1952.The name of the scale is an acronym for the five parameters that are assessed: A (Appearance – skin appearance), P (Pulse – heart rate), G (Grimace – reaction to stimuli), A (Activity – muscle activity) and R (Respiration – breathing). .Each of these parameters can be scored from 0 to 2, where 0 means no activity or reaction and 2 means normal activity or reaction.The results from individual parameters are added up, giving an overall score from 0 to 10.

Apgar scale – what parameters are assessed?

Below is a brief description of each of the parameters that are assessed using the Apgar Scale:

• Skin Appearance:This parameter evaluates the newborn’s skin color.A newborn may receive 0 points if he is pale or bluish, 1 point if he is pink with poor reflexes, or 2 points if he is pink and healthy-looking.
• Heart rate (Pulse):A newborn’s heart rate is measured in beats per minute.If a newborn does not have a pulse, it receives 0 points, 1 point is awarded for a heart rate below 100 beats per minute and 2 points for a heart rate above 100 beats per minute.
• Grimace:This parameter assesses the newborn’s response to stimuli, such as punches on the nose or gradual pressure on the sole of the foot.The newborn receives 0 points if it does not respond, 1 point if it responds weakly, or 2 points if it responds strongly and cries.
• Muscle activity (Activity):The assessment involves observing the newborn’s movements.If the newborn shows no muscular activity, he or she receives 0 points, 1 point is given for poor activity, and 2 points for full activity.
• Breathing:The assessment looks at how the newborn is breathing.0 points are awarded if breathing is absent, 1 point for irregular breathing, and 2 points for regular breathing with crying.

Apgar scale – interpretation of results

After assessing each of the five parameters, the score is summed to give an overall score from 0 to 10. The interpretation of the Apgar Score results is as follows:

• Score 7-10:Means that the newborn is in good condition and does not require immediate medical intervention.
• Score 4-6:Indicates some problems and may suggest the need for medical attention or monitoring.
• Score 0-3:Means that the newborn requires immediate resuscitation and medical intervention.

The Apgar score is a quick assessment tool that helps doctors and nurses make decisions about the further care of the newborn.However, it is important to understand that the Apgar Score is only one of many factors that affect a newborn’s health.

Your suggestions

If you are the parent or caregiver of a newborn, it is important that you know the Apgar Score and what it means.This will help you understand how your baby is assessed at birth and what action may be necessary if the result is low.

Recommended articles

If you are interested in further deepening your knowledge of newborn care, we recommend reading the following articles:

• “Newborn baby – how to take care of its health and development”
• “Symptoms and treatment of hypothermia in a newborn”
• “The role of a neonatal nurse in the care of premature babies”

It is worth investing time and effort in acquiring knowledge about caring for newborns to give them the best possible start in life.

Conclusions

The Apgar scale is a valuable medical tool that helps assess the condition of a newborn immediately after birth.Its parameters include skin appearance, heart rate, response to stimuli, muscle activity and breathing.The Apgar Score helps doctors make quick decisions regarding further care for the newborn.It is worth gaining knowledge on this topic to better understand the process of assessing the newborn’s condition and provide him with the best care.