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Online Medical Tools — Apgar Score

Printed on 2/13/2026

For informational purposes only. This is not medical advice.


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Apgar Score

The Apgar Score is a quick assessment tool used to evaluate the physical condition of a newborn immediately after birth. Developed by Dr. Virginia Apgar in 1952, it scores five criteria — Appearance (skin color), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (reflex irritability), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration (breathing effort) — each on a scale of 0–2, for a total of 0–10. It is typically assessed at 1 and 5 minutes after birth.

Formula: Apgar = Appearance(0–2) + Pulse(0–2) + Grimace(0–2) + Activity(0–2) + Respiration(0–2)

Disclaimer: This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about your health.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a normal Apgar score?

A score of 7–10 at 1 minute is considered normal. Scores of 4–6 indicate the baby needs some medical assistance. Scores below 4 require immediate resuscitation. Most healthy babies score 7–10. A perfect score of 10 is uncommon at 1 minute as most babies have slightly blue extremities.

Why is Apgar measured at 1 and 5 minutes?

The 1-minute score indicates how well the baby tolerated the birth process. The 5-minute score indicates how well the baby is adapting to life outside the womb. If the 5-minute score is below 7, additional scores may be taken at 10, 15, and 20 minutes.

Does a low Apgar score mean long-term problems?

Not necessarily. Apgar scores are designed for immediate assessment, not for predicting long-term health outcomes. Many babies with initially low scores recover quickly and develop normally. However, persistently low scores may warrant additional monitoring and evaluation.

What does APGAR stand for?

APGAR is both named after Dr. Virginia Apgar and is a backronym: Appearance (skin color), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (reflex irritability), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration (breathing effort).