What is an indicator of poor status requiring resuscitation for an infant?

An Apgar score is a quick assessment tool used to determine the health status of a newborn immediately after birth. It evaluates five criteria: heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex response, and color. Each criterion is scored between 0 and 2, resulting in a total score ranging from 0 to 10.

A score of 0-3 indicates a significantly compromised infant who is in critical need of resuscitation. This low score suggests severe depression in respiratory effort and circulation, which demands immediate medical attention to stabilize the baby's condition.

In contrast, a score of 10 represents optimal health, indicating that the infant is responding well across all assessed parameters. A score of 4 suggests moderate distress but may not require immediate intervention, while a score of 7 indicates that the infant is in relatively stable condition, typically requiring only minor monitoring or interventions. Therefore, the score range of 0-3 distinctly signifies the dire need for resuscitative efforts to ensure the infant’s survival.