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Apgar scores and umbilical arterial pH in preterm newborn infants.

One- and five-minute Apgar scores and umbilical cord arterial pH values were compared in preterm newborn infants of various gestational ages. The more premature the infant, the more likely the Apgar score was low in the presence of a pH greater than or equal to 7.25. Conversely, the closer to term, the more frequently an infant with a pH of less than 7.25 had an Apgar score of greater than or equal to 7. Therefore, in preterm infants, there is little congruity between the Apgar score and umbilical cord pH. Based on these findings, it is not appropriate to label preterm newborn infants as asphyxiated based on a low Apgar score.

Apgar Score↗

Apgar scoring: its use and meaning for today's newborn.

Apgar scoring is a common and accepted practice used for evaluating newborns immediately after delivery. After its development by Dr. Virginia Apgar in the late 1940s/early 1950s, its use and meaning have evolved over the past five decades. Today, every baby born in a U.S. hospital is given an Apgar score. With advances in neonatology and improved survival rates for infants with lower gestational ages, a new or revised scoring system may be warranted in order to more appropriately evaluate the extremely preterm infant. In addition, the predictive capabilities of Apgar scoring must be considered with caution for all gestational age groups.

Apgar Score↗

Refining the Apgar score cut-off point for newborns at risk.

AIM: To evaluate the Apgar score predictive power for mortality during different periods in the first year of life in a population with a very low mortality rate. METHODS: The records of all singleton live births without severe congenital malformations and length of gestation >25 wk (n = 976635) were collected from the Swedish Medical Birth Registry, 1990 to 1998. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was utilized. RESULTS: Both the 1-min and the 5-min Apgar scores were shown to be good discriminators for early mortality, with the area under the ROC curve >0.85. For babies at risk of early death, the selected cut-off values for the 1-min Apgar score was <8 for preterm (true-positive (TP) rate: 83.9%; false-positive (FP) rate: 17.7%) and term babies (TP rate: 69.4%; FP rate: 6.7%). At 5 min, the analysis revealed that newborns with an Apgar score <9 were at risk for early death (preterm babies: TP rate: 79.8%; FP rate: 13.3%; term babies: TP rate: 73.8%; FP rate: 3.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis did not support the common practice in the clinic or in research of grouping infants at risk in Apgar score groups, i.e. a score below 4 or a score below 7. However, the data presented here allow the clinicians and researchers to identify and define a suitable cut-off point in relation to the quality of neonatal care and resources available, rather than adhering to a historical cut-off value that has not been studied in depth.

Apgar Score↗

[The study of Apgar score and infant birth weight in the central Taiwan].

The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between birth weight and the Apgar Score. We collected data on the birth weights and the 1 min and 5 min Apgar Score of new born infants between 1982 and 1987 at a teaching hospital in Central Taiwan. Compared to babies with normal Apgar Score, infants with low Apgar Scores were found to born with low and very low birth weights. In the 1 min of life test, the relative risks of low birth weights among infants with Apgar Scores of 0 to 3 and 4 to 6 were 115.0 and 5.9 times higher than those of normal infants, respectively. In the very low birth weight category, the relative risks of the above score were 252.5 and 51.1, in this order. In the 5 min of life test, the relative risks of the above scores were 16.2 and 12.1 in the low birth weight category, respectively. However, among babies of very low birth weight, the relative risks of the same scores were 121.2 and 84.9, in this order. In conclusion, the 5 min Apgar Score might be a useful prognostic index for the relationship between health and birth weight of new born infants.

Apgar Score↗

Birth asphyxia: does the Apgar score have diagnostic value?

The current literature was reviewed to evaluate the Apgar score as a diagnostic test for the presence of asphyxia. Several studies were examined and the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of the Apgar scores calculated. Using an umbilical cord arterial pH below 7.2 as evidence of asphyxia, the one-minute Apgar score showed poor sensitivity as a marker of asphyxia. Therefore, we discourage reference to the term "asphyxia" when Apgar scores alone are used as supportive evidence.

Apgar Score↗

Risk factors associated with low Apgar scores in a low-income population.

The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors associated with Apgar scores of less than 7 in newborns scored at 5 minutes after birth. All newborns were delivered at Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia, which primarily serves a low-income population. The data were obtained from the obstetric discharge records for 1985-89. In this case-control study, 939 newborns with Apgar scores of less than 7 were compared with 2817 newborns with Apgar scores of 7 or higher. Low birthweight (< 2500 g) and short gestational age (< 37 weeks) were each significantly associated with low Apgar scores. Race was not a significant risk factor for low Apgar scores in this low socio-economic population. It is also demonstrated that maternal risk factors (pregnancy-induced hypertension, prolonged rupture of membranes), method of delivery (caesarean, repeat caesarean, vaginal birth after caesarean section) and male sex were significantly associated with Apgar scores of less than 7. As a result of the risks that were found to be associated with method of delivery, further study of the risks associated with caesarean delivery and of the relative advantage of a caesarean delivery versus vaginal delivery after a previous caesarean section is advocated.

Adolescent↗

Apgar score and infant mortality in Puerto Rico.

This study has as its objectives: 1) to examine the association between Apgar score and a set of demographic and sociodemographic variables so as to assess its usefulness as an indicator of the physical conditions of the newborn; 2) to determine if Apgar score in Puerto Rico is a good predictor of the newborn probability of surviving during his first year of life. For this purpose the 1990 live births and infant deaths data was utilized. The results indicate a direct relation between Apgar score with mother's schooling, father's occupation, and number of prenatal visits. Apgar score shows, also, an U curve type relationship with birthweight and gestational age, while it was found to be higher in private than in public hospitals. One of the most important findings was the strong association between infant mortality and Apgar score, even when the effect of other important independent variables such as birthweight and gestational age were held constant. These results demonstrate that, in spite of its criticisms Apgar score seems to be an excellent indicator of the newborn conditions at birth and a very good predictor of infant mortality in Puerto Rico.

Adolescent↗

The relationship between Apgar score, umbilical artery pH and operative delivery for fetal distress in 2778 infants born at term.

A total of 2778 infants born at term were studied to determine the relationship between Apgar scores after 1 min, umbilical artery pH values, mode of delivery, a diagnosis of fetal distress leading to operative delivery, and sex. Eighty-three percent of the population had normal Apgar scores (greater than or equal to 8) and normal pH values (greater than 7.15) in which 10% were operatively delivered for fetal distress (ODFD). Sixty-one percent of the children with low Apgar scores (less than or equal to 7) had normal pH values, and 74% of the infants with acidosis (pH less than or equal to 7.15) had normal Apgar score. Twenty-four percent of the infants with a low Apgar score and/or acidosis were ODFD (sensitivity). Ninety percent of the infants who had Apgar scores and pH values were not ODFD (specificity). The predictive value (a low Apgar score and/or acidosis) of ODFD was 33%, and the negative predictive value (normal Apgar score and a normal pH) of ODFD was 85%. A significantly higher incidence of ODFD and acidosis was found in boys.

Acidosis↗

[Correlation between neonatal Apgar scores and the results of maternal and umbilical cord blood gas analysis].

The correlation between the Apgar scores of 162 neonatal 1 minute after birth and the result of maternal arterial and umbilical cord blood gas analysis was studied. The results were as follows: (1) With decreasing neonatal Apgar score, the value of the pH, PO2, HCO3, TCO2 and actual base excess (ABE) of the maternal arterial and umbilical cord blood also decreased markedly, while the PCO2, except that of the maternal arterial blood, increased obviously, and mixed acid base imbalance and hypoxemia also significantly increased (P less than 0.01). (2) Of the neonates with umbilical arterial blood pH less than or equal to 7.2, the proportion of neonates with Apgar score less than or equal to 3 amounted to 100%; that with on Apgar score of 4-7, was 77.7%; And that with on Apgar score of 8-10, was 56.31%. The difference was highly significant statistically (P less than 0.01).

Adult↗

Umbilical cord unbound free fatty acid concentration and low apgar score.

Increased levels of unbound Free Fatty acid (FFAu) have been found in adults undergoing coronary angioplasty as a result of acute hypoxia-ischemia. We hypohesized that infants suffering from a 1-minute Apgar score of less than 5 will demonstrate elevated FFAu levels in the cord blood. One hundred ninety-nine infants between 25 and 41 weeks gestational age were enrolled in the study. Infants with an Apgar score of less than 5 at 1 minute served as the study group. Blood samples were collected from the umbilical cord and serum FFAu levels were measured with the fluorescent probe acrylodan-derivatized intestinal fatty acid binding protein. The low Apgar score group (n=32, birthweight 3153+/-780 g, gestational age 37.9+/-3.1 weeks) and normal Apgar score group (n=167, birthweight 3067+/-847 g, gestational age 37.5+/-3.5 weeks) were significantly different with respect to Apgar score at 1 minute (3.0+/-1.2 versus 8.4+/-1.1), Apgar score at 5 minutes (6.9+/-versus 8.9+/-0.5), cord pH (7.16+/-0.12 versus 7.28+/-0.07), and in the frequency of meconium passage (40.6% versus 14.9%). Cord FFAu levels were 4.4+/-1.7 versus 3.2+/-1.2 nM (p<0.001), respectively. Cord FFAu correlated inversely with Apgar score at 1 minute (r=-0.31, p<0.05) and with cord pH (r=-0.12, p<0.05), but not with birthweight or gestational age. In infants with low 1-minute Apgar scores, cord free fatty acid levels were significantly elevated compared with those from controls.

Adult↗

Obstetric antecedents to apparent stillbirth (Apgar score zero at 1 minute only).

OBJECTIVE: To identify antecedent risk factors for the delivery of an infant with an Apgar score of 0 at 1 minute who is subsequently successfully resuscitated. METHODS: Infants born between January 1986 and February 1999 with 1-minute Apgar score of 0 followed by 5-minute Apgar score above 0 were studied. Each eligible infant was randomly matched with two control infants, born in the same year, with 1-minute Apgar score greater than 0. Hospital records of their mothers were reviewed. The variables were compared between the groups by univariate analysis. Those factors demonstrating significant differences were then analyzed by logistic regression. P <.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Seventy-four of 81,603 infants (0.9:1000 births) born with an Apgar score of 0 at 1 minute only were compared with 148 control babies. Univariate analysis revealed significant differences between study and control group regarding: gestational age, abruptio placentae, preterm premature rupture of membranes, chorioamnionitis, preeclampsia, small-for-gestational age, male gender, bradycardia, and abnormal fetal heart rate (FHR) other than bradycardia, respectively. Logistic regression of these factors found gestational age, bradycardia, and abnormal FHR to be independent risk factors for the delivery of an apparent stillborn infant. After exclusion of FHR criteria, logistic regression found gestational age (odds ratio [OR] 0.8 per week), male gender (OR 2.5), preeclampsia (OR 3.9), and abruptio placentae (OR 13.6) to be independent risk factors for the delivery of an apparent stillborn infant. CONCLUSION: Preterm birth, male gender, preeclampsia, and abruptio placentae are independently associated with an increased risk of apparent stillbirth.

Abruptio Placentae↗

Risk factors of low APGAR score in Japanese full-term deliveries: a case-control study.

To elucidate maternal characteristics and pregnancy complications associated with low APGAR score, a case-control study of low APGAR score was conducted under matching both gestational age and route of delivery, in full-term deliveries at a Japanese hospital with 102 cases and 204 controls. Previous induced abortion and occurrence of preeclampsia were more frequently observed in the low APGAR score cases. In the multiple conditional logistic regression analysis, each of these factors more than doubled the risk of low APGAR score. Even if only those without perinatal troubles were included in the analysis, previous induced abortion was recognized as an independent risk factor of low APGAR score (odds ratio=2.68, 95% confidence interval:1.01-7.04). Despite of the potential limitations of this study, previous induced abortion might be a useful predictor of adverse state of newborn infant.

Abortion, Induced↗

[The Apgar Score. Is it still valid after a half century?].

In 1952, Virginia Apgar MD, proposed to assess the clinical condition of newborns, during the first minutes of life and to evaluate anesthetic and obstetrical practices. She proposed five objectives and easily measured clinical signs: cardiac frequency, respiratory effort, muscle tone, irritability and color. The test was later named "Apgar Score Test". Since then, all newborns are evaluated using Apgar score. This article reviews the uses and abuses of Apgar test. It has been used to assess asphyxia, predict neurological damage, to identify newborns that require reanimation and as a survival predictor. It is concluded that Apgar score is useful to know the vitality of a newborn during his first minutes of life. It is a background, that along with acid base state and evolution, allows the diagnosis of asphyxia and predicts survival. Therefore, after half a century of use, it still remains useful.

Apgar Score↗

Apgar score, meconium and acidaemia at birth in relation to neonatal neurological morbidity in term infants.

The relation between Apgar score, meconium and acidaemia at birth and neonatal neurological morbidity was investigated in 805 vaginally born term infants whose birthweight was appropriate-for-dates (AFD). Presence or absence of meconium stained amniotic fluid was not related to the neonatal neurological condition. The 1-min and 3-min Apgar scores and the umbilical artery pH were related, but the variances explained in neonatal neurological optimality score were very low (0.9 and 0.5% respectively). Combination of Apgar score and pH slightly increased these percentages to 1.5. The highest frequency of neurologically deviant infants was, on the other hand, found in the group with a normal pH but low Apgar score. It is concluded that in AFD term infants nowadays the predictive value of a low Apgar score, acidaemia at birth and/or presence of meconium for the neonatal neurological morbidity is poor. Most neonatal neurological abnormalities must be due to other factors.

Acidosis↗

The validity of the Apgar scores in the assessment of asphyxia at birth.

A prospective study was performed in 613 consecutively live born infants to investigate the validity of 1- and 5-min Apgar scores as an index for asphyxial assessment at birth. The independent and combined relationship between Apgar scores, metabolic acidemia, pulse oximeter (SaPO2) measurements and neonatal outcome were determined. In the term infants 1-min Apgar score was more influenced by the mode of delivery and by gestational age than by asphyxia. Instead, 5-min Apgar score had a high concordance with metabolic acidemia. Infants with low Apgar scores, metabolic acidemia and arterial desaturation have the highest incidence of neonatal intensive care unit admission and poor neonatal outcome. The study suggests that the 5-min Apgar score is useful for immediate clinical assessment and care of the neonate.

Acidosis↗

[The Apgar score, acid-base equilibrium of the umbilical cord vessels and early postnatal adaptation in healthy term newborns].

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study is to establish a correlation between Apgar score, acid-base status (ABS) and blood gases (bg) from cord blood and the early postnatal adaptation in healthy term newborns. The study is prospective and includes 52 babies at term born at the State University Hospital Maĭchin Dom, Sofia during a three month period--03-05, 1998 without evidence of asphyxia before and during delivery. All babies are monitored for Apgar score at minute 1 and 5, ABS and bg from umbilical artery (u.a.) and vein (u.v.) examined at birth, as well as capillary ABS and bg 1 hour after birth. Early postnatal adaptation is judged by a neonatologist in the course of two hours. RESULTS: A significant difference is found between all the examined points in the ABS and the blood gases in samples from umbilical artery and vein (p < 0.05), most significantly differ pH, pO2 and O2 Sat (p < 0.001). There is a correlation between 1 minute Apgar score and ABS and bg from umbilical vessels, babies with 1 minute Apgar score 7 having significantly lower pH from u.a. requiring wider range of resuscitation. Babies with 1 minute Apgar score 9/8 and 5 minute Apgar score 10 have definitely less early adaptational problems. CONCLUSION: The use of a combination of evaluation criteria for the condition of the newborn after birth (Apgar score, ABS and bg from cord blood and strict monitoring of early cardio-pulmonary adaptation) guarantees adequate resuscitation in term babies.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Correlation of neonatal acid-base status with Apgar scores and fetal heart rate tracings.

In this study the immediate neonatal acid-base status, obtained via a double-clamped segment of umbilical cord, in 75 term, singleton vaginal deliveries was compared to electronic fetal heart rate recordings and Apgar scores. Of 75 neonates, 59 had 1-minute Apgar scores greater than or equal to 7 and 52 had an initial pH greater than 7.20. Six of the 16 neonates with a 1-minute Apgar score less than 7 demonstrated a low pH (less than 7.20). At 5 minutes only eight of 75 neonates had Apgar scores less than 7 with six of the eight having pH values less than 7.20. Of those neonates with Apgar scores greater than or equal to 7 and pH less than 7.20 (seven neonates at 1 minute, two at 5 minutes), none had metabolic acidosis. Eighteen fetal heart rate tracings were considered abnormal; acidosis was confirmed in eight (44%) by pH criteria, yet only three of the eight neonates had low Apgar scores. Our investigations suggest that the combination of fetal heart rate monitoring, cord blood pH, and Apgar assessment is better than any one parameter alone as an evaluation of fetal status just after delivery.

Apgar Score↗

Low 5-minute Apgar score: a population-based register study of 1 million term births.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate of 5-minute Apgar scores below 7 in term infants (at least 37 weeks) in Sweden during 1988-1997, evaluate the influence of obstetric risk factors on low 5-minute Apgar scores, and to study the infant prognosis regarding infant mortality, neonatal neurologic morbidity, and outcome. METHODS: Data were collected from the Swedish Medical Birth Registry 1988-1997, and the National Hospital Discharge Registry. Odds ratios (OR) and risk ratios were calculated. RESULTS: Among 1,028,705 term newborns, 7787 (0.76%) had 5-minute Apgar scores below 7. The annual rate of low Apgar scores decreased from 0.77% in 1988 to 0.63% in 1992, but thereafter increased to 0.82% in 1998. The highest OR was found for vaginal breech delivery (OR 6.7), birth weights above 5 kg (OR 6.3), and second born twins (OR 4.1). Primiparity, maternal age, smoking, post-date pregnancy, epidural analgesia, male infant gender, and being born at night, were also significant risk factors for Apgar below 7 at 5 minutes. The infant mortality rate was 48 per 1000 (OR 14.4), and the ORs were 31.4 for a diagnosis with cerebral palsy, 7.9 for epilepsy, and 9.5 for mental retardation. CONCLUSION: Several obstetric risk factors are associated with low 5-minute Apgar score in term infants. Mortality and the risk of severe neurologic morbidity are increased in these infants.

Apgar Score↗