In the wild energy of a delivery room right after a baby is born, someone will mention a number. The parents might hear, or they might not. That number might be completely meaningless to them at the time. But it could become very important later.
The number is an APGAR score. It measures critical indications of a newborn’s health.
If you know or suspect that your child is suffering from a birth injury in Wyoming, it is important to know what the baby’s APGAR score was and how medical professionals responded. A Wyoming birth injury lawyer can explain the specific significance the APGAR score has in your particular situation, but here are some important general facts to understand about these delivery room numbers.
What is an APGAR Score?
APGAR is an acronym that stands for five factors assessed after a baby’s birth. These factors are:
- Appearance- checking the color of the skin, lips, tongue, and gums as an indication of blood oxygen levels
- Pulse – heart rate for a newborn should be over 100 beats per minute
- Grimace – checking for reflex reaction to stimuli
- Activity – watching for movement ability as an indication of overall condition
- Respiration – monitoring for breathing that is strong and regular
Each factor is rated with a score of 0, 1, or 2. Then the scores for each factor are added together to reach a total that can be as high as 10 and as low as 0. Generally, the score is initially assessed one minute after birth and then again at the five-minute mark. If the baby’s score is less than seven, standard protocol often dictates that the score should continue to be checked at five-minute intervals.
In addition to the five traditional factors evaluated in the APGAR test, many professionals now evaluate additional factors, particularly when a baby’s initial APGAR score is low.
What Do APGAR Scores Mean?
When a baby’s APGAR score is between 4 and 6, it is considered to be “moderately abnormal” by most standards and should indicate to professionals that the baby may need supportive care and intervention to prevent problems. A score of three or lower is rated as “low” and should clearly signal that a child is in distress.
Once a baby is out of the womb, the child needs to breathe and circulate oxygen through the body, and something is interfering with the process.
There could be fluid in the baby’s airway. The child may be suffering from an infection. If the birth is premature, the baby’s respiratory system may not be fully developed. Many times, when labor has been long or a birth has been difficult, the baby may be deprived of oxygen during the process. Sometimes a low APGAR score is caused by a traumatic injury that occurs during the birth process.
Regardless of the reason for the low score, it indicates that a child is suffering and needs help. Delays in getting that help can lead to permanent injuries such as cerebral palsy.
What Should Happen if the APGAR Score is Low?
In many cases, simple measures can help a baby’s body adjust to life and start functioning the way it needs to. This might include physical massage with a towel to stimulate circulation or suctioning to clear the airway.
Professionals should be assessing the need for measures such as:
- Oxygen supplementation
- Chest compressions
- Intubation
- Medications such as epinephrine
- Ventilation using neonatal continuous positive airway pressure or positive pressure ventilation
Many times, it is necessary to transfer the child to a neonatal intensive care unit to ensure that proper resources are available and that staff have the right training to provide critical, timely care for the child.
The Long-Term Meaning of an APGAR Score
APGAR scores can help birth professionals determine when to provide early intervention. In terms of predicting a child’s health later, they have little impact. A child can have a perfect APGAR score and still be suffering from birth injuries that do not manifest symptoms until later. And a baby with a low APGAR score can suffer no permanent damage.
How an APGAR Score Can Be Used in a Birth Injury Case
When an infant is in distress and not receiving oxygen properly throughout the body, prompt medical intervention is crucial to prevent brain damage and other adverse consequences. An APGAR score can be used as evidence to indicate that a child needs immediate assistance and continual monitoring. It can be used to demonstrate that medical professionals should have been aware of a child’s dire condition.
If the baby did not receive the appropriate level of care after receiving a low APGAR score, that could indicate that someone made a critical medical error, and they or the facility they work for should be held liable. A low APGAR score can also serve as evidence to support an assertion that a child suffered a traumatic injury shortly before or during the birth process.
Ragain & Clark Knows How to Use Evidence Effectively to Demonstrate Medical Malpractice
When your child is suffering because of birth injuries, it affects your entire family. The team at Ragain & Clark understands the importance of providing the resources you need to overcome the challenges ahead. We also understand how important it can be to obtain justice for the harm done to your child by a negligent medical professional. With decades of experience fighting for full compensation in and out of court, we are ready to put our skills to work to help your family move forward after the tragedy of a birth injury.
For a free, confidential consultation to discuss the ways we may be able to assist with a birth injury or any form of medical malpractice, call us at 307-388-6400 or contact us online now.
