What is an APGAR score?

An Apgar score is given to a newborn born baby immediately after birth. The test is designed to give the doctors and nurses information about a baby’s physical condition at birth and to determine whether immediate medical intervention is required. Apgar stands for: Activity, Pulse, Grimace (reflex irritability), Appearance (skin color), and Respiration (breathing rate and effort). Each category evaluated is given a score between 0 and 2 and Apgar scores are generally taken at 1 minute, 5 minutes, and sometimes 10 minutes after birth.

Although few babies score a perfect 10, a baby born with a low Apgar (below 7), especially at 5 to 10 minutes after birth, could mean that the baby suffered a brain injury from lack of oxygen due to medical malpractice. Low Apgar scores are commonly associated with cerebral palsy. If you have a baby with a low Apgar score, your doctor has an obligation to explain to you why the score is low and what you can expect in the future.

As Memphis, Tennessee medical malpractice attorneys, we have the knowledge and experience to investigate your case, answer your questions, and pursue your birth injury lawsuit. Call us toll free at 888-470-9143.