Apgar Scores:
Assessing Newborn Babies

One of the first screenings a baby receives after birth is the Apgar test. Named after Dr. Virginia Apgar, the test assesses five key measures of newborn health and assigns a score of 0, 1 or 2 for each measure. The test's name is also an acronym for what it measures: appearance, pulse, grimace, activity and respiration.

The Apgar test was implemented by Dr. Apgar in 1952 after she noticed many small, struggling babies were left unattended while the doctor cared for the mother. Some of these babies died, yet may have survived with quick assessment and treatment. When the Apgar test became a delivery-room standard, the infant mortality rate dropped. This led to the development of resuscitation tools and monitors sized for newborns, as well as the formation of neonatal care units.

Apgar Today
Still used in delivery rooms today, the Apgar test continues to be a vital assessment of brand new babies. "Each newborn at the BirthPlace receives the Apgar screening at one, five and sometimes 10 minutes of age," says Jane Promnitz, coordinator of the Special Care Nursery and Newborn Nursery at Alamance Regional. "The majority of babies score eight or nine out of a possible 10; however, if an infant shows signs of a problem, the baby is sent to our Special Care Nursery for close monitoring and care. The Apgar score is one of many tools used by nursing and medical staff."

Special Care Neonatal Nursery
Babies who are premature, low birth weight, or show signs of needing extra attention are cared for in the Level II/Level III Special Care Neonatal Nursery at Alamance Regional. The nursery, created in partnership with Duke University Medical Center, is staffed by full-time neonatologists, nurse practitioners and neonatal nurses.

"Our neonatal team provides coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week and brings experience, knowledge and compassionate care to sick infants and their families," says Hugo Navarro, MD, board-certified neonatologist and director of the Special Care Nursery at Alamance Regional. "While we use advanced neonatal technology, we also emphasize communication with parents, so that they are fully updated about the baby's condition and progress. Our nursery is also designed to encourage parents to visit and bond with their baby."

For more information about the Special Care Nursery, other BirthPlace services, or obstetricians and pediatricians affiliated with Alamance Regional, visit our Web site at www.armc.com.

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