Elegant ToolsRecord the minute
Score at 1 and 5 minutes
If the 5-minute total is below 7, continue scoring every 5 minutes through 20 minutes while documenting concurrent interventions.
Apgar Score Calculator
Record the newborn’s observed condition at a defined minute after birth.
Assessment time
Record 1 and 5 minutes for every newborn. Add later scores when indicated; the combined note includes recorded observations and identifies missing follow-up assessments.
Additional assessments
Record 15 or 20 minutes when indicated by the newborn’s condition or local protocol.
1-minute score
—of 10
Complete all five findings to enable copying.Complete the assessment
Select one finding in every row before interpreting the score.
Combined assessment
Serial Apgar summary
Complete the 1- and 5-minute assessments to generate the neonatal Apgar summary. Later observations are included when recorded. 0 of 2 required assessments recorded.
Review and copy assessment
Complete the required assessment to enable copying.
Guidance and sources
Kenya Ministry of Health 2022 · ACOG/AAP, reaffirmed 2025
Document the response without delaying it.
Apgar scoring describes the newborn’s observed condition at a defined moment. Immediate clinical assessment determines whether resuscitation is needed before the 1-minute score is available.
ScoreDescriptionUse
0 - 3
Low score
Marked depression in the observed clinical signs. The finding is nonspecific and must be interpreted alongside the full newborn assessment.
Assess and respond now
Continue care under the neonatal resuscitation protocol and document the score, exact time and concurrent interventions. Do not wait for the total before acting.
4 - 6
Moderately abnormal
One or more signs show incomplete transition or ongoing compromise at the recorded minute.
Continue assessment
Follow the clinical response and resuscitation protocol. If this is the 5-minute score, repeat every 5 minutes until 20 minutes while the score remains below 7.
7 - 10
5-minute limitation
At 5 minutes, this range is generally reassuring for term and late-preterm infants. Gestation, medication and resuscitation can affect the total.
Document context
Record the time, score and any support being given, then continue routine or indicated newborn care based on direct clinical assessment.
Do not wait
Resuscitation comes first
Use breathing, heart rate and the newborn resuscitation algorithm to act. The Apgar total is not a trigger for the initial steps.
Keep context
Document support and limitations
Gestational age, maternal medication, congenital conditions and resuscitation can change the score. Record these alongside the total.