Apgar score was a prognostic predictor of outcome in very low birthweight premature neonates.

Abstract

The reliability of Apgar scores and umbilical cord pH for predicting outcomes in very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates is controversial. A few studies have tried to identify the prognostic value of these measurements among VLBW and preterm infants. Forsblad et al. showed that the Apgar score had a prognostic value in preterm infants born at 25 weeks and that a high Apgar score was associated with survival, without neurological morbidity, in the first 180 days of life (1). Locatelli et al reported that the umbilical cord pH can be normal even if the Apgar score is low five minutes after birth (2).