Definition: Apgar score: Apgar score indicates the responsiveness of an infant to various stimuli including temperature, heart rate, breathing, and skin color.
Definition: Apgar score is a standardized score based on 1-4 vital signs (temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, and skin color) that assesses the health of infants in neonatal intensive care. This score ranges from 0 to 4, with each score representing an infant's condition as a whole.
Apgar scores help in assessing the child's ability to respond to stimuli: Temperature (0-12): A higher temperature indicates that the baby is cold and may need more attention or intervention. Heart rate (0-40): A lower heart rate indicates normal heart function but should be closely monitored if it falls below 60 beats per minute due to a decrease in blood pressure and oxygenation. Respiratory rate (0-25): The infant's respiratory rate is considered within normal limits; however, any deviation from standard may suggest underlying conditions or complications.
Skin color: Apgar scores are used to assess the skin color of an infant's vital signs. A higher skin color indicates a darker pigmentation, which can be due to dark pigment deposits in the skin or other health issues.
The Apgar score is not a substitute for medical evaluation and diagnosis as it cannot diagnose any underlying condition or complications; it provides information that helps healthcare providers monitor the baby's status and make decisions accordingly.
Apgar