Every parent hopes their child will be born healthy, and at that moment of birth, there is always a bit of marvel at just how perfect they really are. In some situations, parents learn of complications or concerns, though. One way that may happen is through the Apgar score, a test performed within the first five minutes of a child’s life to determine health.
At the Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D. & Associates, our birth injury medical malpractice legal team is more than just your representation in a court of law. As experienced medical doctors, we also offer insight into the health aspect of your case. If you are unsure of your child’s health at birth, there are several ways we can help you.
What Is the Apgar Score?
The Apgar Score, according to the National Library of Medicine, is a fast test that is performed right after a child’s birth. It is a one-minute score that determines how well a child tolerates the birthing process. The five-minute score, which is slightly longer, provides healthcare providers with insight into how well the baby is performing outside of the mother’s womb. With this information, doctors can determine if the child’s needs are being met.
How Is the Apgar Score Calculated?
A doctor, midwife, or nurse completes the Apgar test. To do so, they will look at the following aspects of the body’s health:
- Breathing effort
- Heart rate
- Muscle tone
- Skin color
- Reflexes
Each category is scored with either a 0, 1, or 2. The healthcare provider assigns a score based on their observations at the time.
For example, with breathing effort, if the infant is not breathing on their own, they are given a “0” score. If the child is breathing but there are irregular breaths or they are breathing at a very slow rate, that creates a 1 for respiratory effort. A child who is breathing well is given a 2.
The same applies to heart rate, muscle tone, grimace response, and skin color. By evaluating these areas, first at 1 minute after birth and then again at 5 minutes, doctors can have a better idea of how well the child is doing at any given time. Ultimately, your doctor uses this test to determine if the child needs help with breathing or other health complications.
The Apgar score ranges from 1 to 10. The higher the score, the better. That means the child is doing well after the birth based solely on the information contained within the test. Typically, a score of 7, 8, or 9 is considered normal. It is not common for a parent to receive a 10 score – nearly all newborns lose some points due to blue hands and feet. However, a score under 7 may indicate the child needs some help.
If your child’s score is a 7 or lower, that means the child needs medical attention. It does not immediately indicate that the child is at risk. However, it does mean the child needs more help than the average child. Abnormal results can be somewhat skewed if there is a difficult birth, a c-section occurs, or there is fluid in the airway.
When Is the Apgar Score Performed?
It is critical that the test be performed at the right time. The first screening is conducted at the child’s birth, when they are just about 1 minute old. It is then repeated when they turn 5.
What Does the Apgar Score Mean for a Medical Malpractice Case?
There are many reasons why some birth injuries happen so frequently. Often, when a child does not perform well on a test like this, the doctor will take steps to provide the child with the necessary care.
Having a low Apgar score does not mean medical negligence happened. It does mean that there is something that is not right about the way the child’s birth went. In some cases, it could be a sign of some type of birth injury. If you can demonstrate that a birth injury occurred, it may be possible to seek compensation for medical malpractice.
What to Do if Your Child’s Low Score Signals Negligence
If your child suffered a birth injury or you suspect that your child is suffering at the hands of a doctor, it is time to get legal guidance. OB/GYN negligence in DC is not uncommon. For that reason, even if you simply suspect that there could be a risk, you should seek out the help of an attorney.
There are several reasons why a low Apgar score can occur, and in some cases, it may indicate medical malpractice. Factors such as hospital understaffing and birth trauma could play a role in why this score is low. However, to determine why that is, your lawyer needs to look at all factors contributing to the situation.
FAQs About the Apgar Test
- What score on the Apgar test may indicate the need for medical intervention?
The Apgar test is scored on a scale from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating better overall health immediately after birth. A score of 7 to 10 is generally considered normal. If a baby scores under 7, it may signal that the infant requires medical attention, such as airway clearing, oxygen, or other support. A very low score (below 4) may indicate a critical condition requiring immediate and intensive medical care. - Does a low Apgar score mean my child’s doctor was negligent?
Not necessarily. A low Apgar score reflects the baby’s condition at birth but does not automatically indicate medical negligence. There are many factors—some unpredictable—that can affect a newborn’s Apgar score. However, if your child has suffered long-term injuries or complications and you suspect improper care, it’s wise to consult a birth injury attorney. A thorough legal review can determine if negligence played a role. - Can a low Apgar score lead to long-term health problems?
In some cases, yes. While many babies with low Apgar scores recover quickly, a persistently low score may signal underlying issues such as oxygen deprivation, brain injury, or birth trauma. These conditions could lead to developmental delays or lifelong medical needs. If you’re concerned about your child’s condition or suspect medical error, an experienced legal team can help evaluate your case and explain your options.
Seek Legal Help from an Attorney Who Understands: Contact a Washington, D.C. Birth Injury Lawyer at the Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D. & Associates
If your child has a low score, take action. Contact our legal team so we can begin researching if a birth injury occurred that was preventable. At the Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D. & Associates, we understand the complications that go with the birthing process. If you are unsure what happened to your child, we encourage you to take action now for immediate help. Call a Washington, D.C. birth injury lawyer at 202-223-4488 or complete our online form for a free consultation. Located in Washington, D.C., we serve clients in the surrounding areas, including Northern Virginia and Maryland.
