Apgar scores as predictors of chronic neurologic disability

Abstract

Apgar scores were recorded at one and five minutes for approximately 49,000 infants, and at ten, 15, and 20 minutes for babies who did not achieve a score of 8 or higher at five minutes. These children were followed to the age of 7 years. Low Apgar scores were risk factors for cerebral palsy, but 55% of children with later cerebral palsy had Apgar scores of 7 to 10 at one minute, and 73% scored 7 to 10 at five minutes. Of 99 children who had Apgar scores of 0 to 3 at ten, 15, or 20 minutes and survived, 12 (12%) had later cerebral palsy; 11 of the 12 were also mentally retarded (in ten, IQ less than 50) and half had seizure disorders. Eight children who survived after having very low late Apgar scores and who did not have cerebral palsy had lesser but significant disabilities. Of the children who had Apgar scores of 0 to 3 at ten minutes or later and survived, 80% were free of major handicap at early school age.