Assessment of the Child's Condition Using the Apgar Scale

The first test that newborns undergo (and most do well) is the Apgar score. The test was proposed by anesthesiologist Virginia Apgar. The result, recorded one minute after birth and recorded again 5 minutes later, reflects the overall condition of the newborn and is based on observations in five assessment categories.

Children who score between 7 and 10 are considered good or excellent and usually require only routine care; those who score between 4 and 6 points are in fair condition and may only require some resuscitation procedures; and those whose score is less than 4 require immediate assistance to save their life.

At one time it was believed that children whose score remained low 5 minutes after birth were doomed to have neurological problems in the future, but recent studies have shown that most of these children grow up normal and quite healthy.