What is the primary purpose of the APGAR Score?

The APGAR Score is specifically designed to evaluate the health of newborns immediately after birth. This assessment occurs at one and five minutes after delivery and focuses on five criteria: Appearance (skin color), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace response (reflexes), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration (breathing effort). Each of these aspects is scored from 0 to 2, with a total score ranging from 0 to 10. The purpose of the APGAR Score is to provide a quick and standardized method for assessing the newborn's physical condition and determining whether any immediate medical intervention is necessary. By focusing on the newborn's health directly after birth, healthcare providers can rapidly identify those who may require further observation or immediate care, thus contributing to better outcomes for infants.