Another Look at the Apgar Score

Five-minute scores below 3 dramatically raised risk for neonatal and infant death.

Although the Apgar score was not originally designed as a prediction tool, analyses of large birth cohorts have indicated increased neonatal mortality in association with lower 5-minute Apgar scores. To clarify the causes of such infant death, investigators in Scotland linked national discharge and mortality data for some 1 million singleton live births between 1992 and 2010.

Overall, low 5-minute Apgar scores (range, 0–3) were associated with increased risk for neonatal and infant death: Adjusted relative risk was 359.4 for neonatal death before 7 days, 30.5 for neonatal death between 7 and 28 days, and 50.2 for infant death before 1 year. This association was strongest for babies born at term, and deaths were attributed primarily to anoxia…

Reviewing Author

Robin Steinhorn, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardActelion Pharmaceuticals

Editorial BoardsJournal of Pediatrics

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Pediatric Society (President); American Board of Pediatrics (Board of Directors)

Robin Steinhorn, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardActelion Pharmaceuticals

Editorial BoardsJournal of Pediatrics

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Pediatric Society (President); American Board of Pediatrics (Board of Directors)

Another Look at the Apgar Score

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Reviewing Author