Since 1952, delivery room doctors have been performing the APGAR test on newborn babies. The APGAR test, which is an acronym for appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration, is used to evaluate the health of infants.
The doctor evaluates infants with each of the five criteria on a scale of 0-2, and then adds the scores together to produce the total APGAR number. A total score of 1 – 3 is considered low, while 4 – 6 is considered normal, and a score of 7 is above average.
The Apgar score is simply a quick means of seeing if a baby requires immediate medical care, but it should not be used to make long-term predictions about the overall health of the infant.
The Apgar score is given twice: once one minute after birth, and again five minutes after birth. If the infant exhibits a low score, the test will continue to be repeated. A baby who consistently scores low after 10 – 30 minutes is at greater risk of suffering long-term neurological damage.
The following conditions are known to cause a low APGAR score:
- Amniotic fluid embolism
- Placental abruption
- Untreated maternal infections
- Uterine rupture
- Head trauma during delivery
- Cardio respiratory collapse in mother
- Excessive vaginal bleeding
- Macrosomia
A low APGAR score is a red flag. You should begin asking a lot of questions about your baby’s care, including whether the low APGAR score was caused by a medical mistake.
You deserve to know if your baby’s injury could have been prevented. I know this can be an intimidating process, but remember, you don’t have to go through it alone. Call me at 1 (800) 556-4769. I will help you get the answers you deserve about your baby’s care. As your Ohio birth injury lawyer, I’ll be there for you, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Author: Tim Misny | For more than 34 years, personal injury lawyer Tim Misny has represented the injured victim in birth injury, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury/wrongful death cases, serving “Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Columbus & Cincinnati, Ohio.” You can reach Tim by email at tmisny@misnylaw.com or call at 1 (800) 556-4769.