What does the APGAR score assess in a newborn?

The APGAR score is specifically designed to assess the health of a newborn immediately after birth. It is evaluated at one minute and again at five minutes post-delivery, focusing on five criteria: Appearance (skin color), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace response (reflexes), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration (breathing effort). Each of these factors gives insight into the infant's immediate physiological status, helping healthcare providers determine whether the newborn requires additional medical attention.

By assessing these immediate indicators, the APGAR score provides a quick and effective way to evaluate the newborn's transition to life outside the womb and ensures timely interventions if necessary. It is not intended to measure the infant’s long-term health outcomes, general development, or maternal health during labor which are beyond the scope of the APGAR assessment.