When should the APGAR score be calculated after birth?

The APGAR score is a quick assessment tool used to evaluate the health of a newborn immediately after birth. It assesses five criteria: appearance, pulse, grimace response, activity, and respiration, with each category being scored from 0 to 2, leading to a total score ranging from 0 to 10. The scores are typically calculated at 1 minute and 5 minutes post-delivery.

Calculating the APGAR score at 1 minute provides insight into the newborn's immediate adjustment to extrauterine life, identifying any initial distress or need for resuscitation. The 5-minute score is crucial as it reflects the infant's response to resuscitation efforts and overall improvement over the first few minutes outside the womb. If the scores are low at 5 minutes, additional evaluations can continue at 10 minutes or more, but the standard procedure is to assess at 1 and 5 minutes to quickly gauge the newborn's condition and determine if immediate medical intervention is required.

This timing allows healthcare providers to effectively monitor the infant's transition to life outside the uterus and intervene promptly if necessary.