US Medical Term · maternity
Apgar Score
Puntuación de Apgar
Also: Índice de Apgar (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Apgar Score |
| Spanish (Español) | Puntuación de Apgar |
| Chinese (中文) | 阿普加評分 |
| Korean (한국어) | 아프가 점수 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Chỉ số Apgar |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Apgar score |
| Portuguese (Português) | Índice de Apgar |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | คะแนนอาพการ์ |
| Japanese (日本語) | アプガースコア |
What it means
The Apgar score is a quick health check given to your newborn at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth. Five signs are each scored 0 to 2: Appearance (skin color), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (reflex response), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration (breathing effort). Scores from 7 to 10 mean the baby is doing well. Scores below 7 at 5 minutes may mean the baby needs extra medical help such as extra oxygen. The Apgar score is not meant to predict long-term health outcomes; it guides immediate care decisions in the delivery room. Most healthy babies score 7 to 9.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
What was my baby's Apgar score at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth?
¿Cuál fue la puntuación de Apgar de mi bebé al minuto y a los 5 minutos después del nacimiento?
My baby had a low Apgar score — does that mean there will be long-term health problems?
Mi bebé tuvo una puntuación de Apgar baja — ¿eso significa que habrá problemas de salud a largo plazo?
What does each letter in APGAR stand for?
¿Qué significa cada letra en APGAR?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026