Physicians in India employ the APGAR test immediately following the delivery of a baby to determine how well the baby is adapting to life outside the womb. The full name of the AGPAR is Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration. It is a simple, fast, and convenient tool that physicians and nurses can use to evaluate the overall health of a newborn. Ask Ayurveda describes how mainstream medicine uses APGAR as a clinical measurement tool and how Ayurveda perceives it as part of its greater mission of providing healthy beginnings through balanced prenatal and postnatal care. In this article, we will study AGPAR full form and other required details of this test for newborns.
What Does APGAR Stand For?
Each of the letters of the APGAR score pertains to a particular region of the physical status of the newborn. Appearance pertains to color, which reflects whether the baby is taking in oxygen into its body or not. Pulse is the baby’s heart rate, which must be greater than 100 per minute. Grimace also watches for the response of the infant when stimulated, for instance, with a light scratch, to test their reflexes. Activity tests muscle tone, and active movement is what should be shown by a healthy baby. Respiration tests the effort of crying of the infant and the vocal strength. All five parameters in combination assist physicians to immediately know whether a baby requires any urgent attention or treatment.
How Is the APGAR Score Calculated?
Physicians calculate the APGAR score twice, once at one minute and then at five minutes. Each of the five components is given a score of 0, 1, or 2, with the maximum obtainable score being 2. The maximum cumulative score is 10. For instance, in the case of a baby with good heartbeats, good cry, active movement, and pink color, the baby will be scored 9 or 10. The lower the score, the greater will be the need to assist the baby with breathing or some other fundamental function. The scoring allows the medical team to act quickly and effectively.
What Do Various APGAR Score Ranges Mean?
APGAR scores belong to one of three broad categories that enable physicians to ascertain the well-being of a newborn. A score of 7-10 indicates that the child is healthy and needs only routine postnatal treatment. Scores of 4-6 indicate that the child might need some medical therapy, i.e., oxygen or light stimulation, for stabilization. 3 or less indicates that the baby is gravely ill and must receive immediate medical care, such as resuscitation or high-tech neonatal care. These are not predictors of long-term health but merely a set of guidelines for first aid during birth.
Why Is the APGAR Test Important in Indian Hospitals?
The APGAR test is a critical part of hospital delivery protocols in India. It enables physicians and nurses at city and rural hospitals to make rapid decisions regarding the well-being of a newborn. With the many different healthcare facilities in the country, this easy score system guarantees that even at smaller medical centers, healthcare providers can determine which infants need immediate treatment. It also assures new parents that their newborn’s first few minutes are closely monitored, leading to safer births and healthier outcomes.
How Does Ayurveda Approach Newborn Healthiness?
Ask Ayurveda points out the fact that although APGAR scoring is a medical technology, Ayurveda places its focus on maximizing the newborn’s energy through well-balanced pre-birth care, herbs, and post-birth mother care. Combining these strategies secures the mother and child entering this life healthy, showing a balance between modern medicine and well-being in general.
