The Apgar score is a widely used method to assess the health of a newborn child immediately after birth. It is a quick and easy way to determine whether a baby needs immediate medical attention or not. The Apgar score is an acronym for Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration. This article will define and explain the meaning of the Apgar score, its origin, associations, and synonyms.
Definitions
The Apgar score is a numerical score ranging from 0 to 10, which is given to a newborn baby based on five criteria: appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration. Each criterion is given a score of 0, 1, or 2, and the scores are added up to give the total Apgar score. A score of 7 or above is considered normal, while a score of less than 7 indicates that the baby may need medical attention.
Origin
The Apgar score was developed in 1952 by Dr. Virginia Apgar, an American anesthesiologist. Dr. Apgar was concerned about the high infant mortality rate in the United States at the time and wanted to develop a quick and simple way to assess the health of newborn babies.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the Apgar score is “a measure of the physical condition of a newborn infant based on a rating of 0 to 10 on each of five criteria, including heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, response to stimulation, and skin coloration.”
Associations
The Apgar score is often used in conjunction with other medical tests and examinations to assess the health of a newborn baby. It is also used to monitor the progress of a baby’s health in the first few minutes and hours after birth.
Synonyms
There are no direct synonyms for the Apgar score, but it is sometimes referred to as the Apgar test or the Apgar rating.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms for the Apgar score.
The same root words
There are no direct root words for the Apgar score.
Example Sentences
- The doctor assessed the baby’s Apgar score immediately after birth.
- The Apgar score was 9, which indicated that the baby was healthy.
- The nurse monitored the baby’s Apgar score closely in the first few hours after birth.
The Apgar score is a simple and effective way to assess the health of a newborn baby. Developed by Dr. Virginia Apgar in 1952, it has become a standard practice in hospitals around the world. The Apgar score is an important tool for doctors and nurses to quickly identify babies who may need immediate medical attention.