An Apgar score of 3 means the newborn requires immediate resuscitation.
Explanation:
The Apgar score is an assessing method done by the healthcare providers immediately the baby is born mostly within one to five minutes.
Apgar stands for the five basic parameters checked during this assessment:
- A: Activity level or muscle tone
- P: Pulse or heart rate
- G: Grimace or response to stimulit or reflex irritability
- A: Appearance or skin color
- R: Respiratory or breathing rate
These parameters are scored on three points 0, 1, and 2
Apgar score indications:
From 0 to 3 indicates critically low condition
From 4 to 6 indicates a below normal condition
From 7 to 10 indicates normal condition.
The critically low condition usually occurs in premature, low birth-weight neonates and requires immediate intensive and resuscitative care measures to improve the newborn’s condition. This is highly necessary to improve the survival rate and prevent mortality.
