Apgar score

noun

1. a numerical measure of the physical health of a newborn infant derived by evaluating heart rate, muscle tone, respiratory effort, response to stimulation, skin color, and other physiological indicators.

apgar score

/ ˈæpɡɑː /

noun

1. a system for determining the condition of an infant at birth by allotting a maximum of 2 points to each of the following: heart rate, breathing effort, muscle tone, response to stimulation, and colour

Apgar score

/ ăp′gär /

1. A score that assesses the general physical condition of a newborn infant by assigning a value of 0, 1, or 2 to each of five criteria: heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, skin color, and response to stimuli. The five scores are added together, with a perfect score being 10. Apgar scores are usually evaluated at one minute and five minutes after birth. The Apgar score is named for the system's deviser, American physician Virginia Apgar (1909–1974).

Word History and Origins

Origin of Apgar score¹

Named after V. Apgar

Word History and Origins

Origin of Apgar score¹

C20: named after V. Apgar (1909–74), US anaesthetist

Example Sentences

The Apgar score, determined by a series of quick assessments immediately after birth, traditionally includes checking whether the baby is "pink all over".

From BBC

One example of effective decision hygiene has to do with the Apgar score, which looks at the overall health of newborns.

From New York Times

From the Apgar score to college admission, modern parenting offers endless opportunities for envy and self-deception.

From Los Angeles Times

Besides smoking, method of delivery and birthweight, Brander's team found that a low Apgar score -- an assessment of overall infant health in the minutes after birth -- also indicated a greater risk of OCD.

From US News

They recorded gestational time, birth weight, five-minute Apgar score and size for gestational age.

From New York Times