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Your baby's care team will run an Apgar test immediately after birth. This test will quickly measure your baby’s physical condition and any potential need for immediate medical care.
Apgar measures the following five factors:
An anesthesiologist named Virginia Apgar developed the test in 1952. Babies get the Apgar test one minute after birth and then again five minutes after birth. If your baby’s care team has any concerns or their score is low at the five-minute mark, they may repeat the test a third time at 10 minutes after birth.
Each of the five factors gets a score on a scale of zero to two. A total score of 10 is the highest.
A score between seven and 10 is normal. A score of four to six may indicate that your baby needs oxygen, resuscitation, and/or careful monitoring. A score of three or less indicates that your baby requires immediate resuscitation and lifesaving procedures.
A low score on the one-minute test may show that your baby requires medical attention but may not necessarily indicate a long-term problem. This is particularly likely if your baby’s score on the five-minute test improves. The Apgar test isn't an indicator of future health problems.
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2024-09-05.
