Re-evaluation of Apgar score: introduction of policy statements of the Apgar score by American Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Abstract

As a widely accepted and convenient method, the Apgar score has been applied to assess the status of the newborn infants and the response to resuscitation since 1952.But the Apgar score has also been used inappropriately in infants to predict specific neurologic outcomes in many cases.The Apgar Scoreproduced by American Academy of Pediatrics(AAP)in collaboration with American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists(ACOG), updated policy statements of the Apgar score in October 2015.The Apgar score has limitations, and it is not appropriate to use it alone to establish the diagnosis of asphyxia; the method does not predict individual neonatal mortality or neurologic outcome.AAP/ACOG encourages the use of an expanded Apgar score reporting form that accounts for concurrent resuscitation interventions. Key words: Infant, newborn; Apgar score; Resuscitation