What is the primary purpose of the APGAR score?

The primary purpose of the APGAR score is to evaluate the health of the newborn immediately after birth. This scoring system assesses five criteria: appearance (skin color), pulse (heart rate), grimace response (reflexes), activity (muscle tone), and respiration (breathing effort). Each criterion is scored from 0 to 2, with a maximum score of 10. The APGAR score provides a quick and standardized way to determine if the newborn is in good condition or if they need immediate medical attention. This assessment is crucial for identifying potential health problems early, facilitating timely interventions to improve outcomes for the baby.

While maternal health, baby’s weight, and type of delivery are important aspects of obstetric care, they are not the focus of the APGAR score, which is specifically designed to assess the immediate health status of the newborn.