A: The APGAR score is a quick way to assess a newborn infant. It is composed of five separate components. Each of the parts is assigned a score from zero to 2. The composite score is computed at 1 and 5 minutes. Scores of 7 or above are considered normal. Scores of 4 to 6 are intermediate. Lower scores suggest the baby was subject to birth stress.

Below is a table listing the components of the APGAR score:


The APGAR score is a medical assessment of your child at birth. It is not an indicator of your child's health now or in the future.

You should also know that in many hospitals, there are no 10s given on the tests. So don't get worked up by the score … a crying, beautiful baby is a perfect 10 in my book.