Apgar Score at Various Gestational Ages

Introduction: The Apgar score is an accepted method for reporting the condition of a newborn. The present study was performed to evaluate the Apgar score at different gestational ages. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was performed on 1161 newborns with a gestational age of 25-40 weeks born in the maternity ward of Ghaem Hospital in Mashhad during 2014-2021 with available sampling. The data collection was performed with the researcher-made checklist, including neonatal characteristics. The neonatal Apgar scores of the 1st and 5th min and the cord pH after birth were registered in gestational ages categorized to 25-28.6, 29-32.6, 33-36.6, and 37-40 weeks. Results: The mean 1st and 5th min Apgar scores after birth were as below: At the gestational age of <29 weeks, 6 and 7.3, at 29-33 weeks, 6.60 and 8.2, at 33-37 weeks, 7.5 and 8.7, and at more than 37 weeks, 8.2 and 9.6. There was a moderate correlation between gestational age at birth and 1st and 5th min Apgar score. Conclusion: Apgar score components improve in higher gestational ages; therefore, a lower Apgar score is acceptable at lower gestational ages. The results of the present study show the real Apgar score for different gestational ages. This can be a criterion for evaluating the Apgar score of the baby at any gestational age.