The newborn is commonly assessed with the APGAR score, a quick test
performed at 1 and 5 minutes after birth to determine the physical
condition of the newborn. The five categories assessed are heart
rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability, and
color. Each of these categories is scored 0, 1, or 2, depending on
the observed condition of the newborn.
Review Date: 11/30/2009
Reviewed By: Deirdre OâReilly, M.D., M.P.H., Neonatologist,
Division of Newborn Medicine, Childrenâs Hospital
Boston and Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School,
Boston, Massachusetts.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
