16 May 2019 The Apgar test is part of the baby's first assessment at birth. This test assesses the baby's adaptation to life outside the womb. The Apgar baby score assesses the following, on a scale from 0 to 10: Heart rate; Breathing rate; Muscle tone; Reflexes; Skin colour on a scale of 0 to 10. The assessment is made one minute and then five minutes after birth, and the score indicates whether some kind of resuscitation is needed. The name of the test comes from the anaesthesiologist Virginia Apgar. This article was written with the support of physicians and other clinical professionals from the Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
