When should an APGAR assessment be performed on a newborn?

An APGAR assessment is performed on a newborn at 1 and 5 minutes after birth to evaluate the infant's physical condition and determine if immediate medical care is needed. The APGAR score assesses five criteria: Appearance (skin color), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace response (reflexes), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration (breathing effort).

Performing the assessment at 1 minute provides a quick overview of the newborn’s condition immediately after birth, helping to identify any immediate concerns. The score at 5 minutes is crucial for understanding how well the newborn is adapting to life outside the womb and whether their condition is improving.

Assessments done after these time frames may not provide the same relevance in terms of immediate intervention needs, which is why the timing of 1 and 5 minutes is standardized for the APGAR scoring process. This timing allows healthcare providers to monitor changes over that crucial initial period of life.