What does the Apgar score assess in newborns?

The Apgar score is a quick assessment tool used to evaluate the health of newborns at one and five minutes after birth. It focuses on five criteria: heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex response, and skin color. Each criterion is scored between 0 and 2, resulting in a total score ranging from 0 to 10.

The purpose of the Apgar score is to determine the newborn's immediate need for medical intervention. A higher score indicates a healthier infant with better physiological functioning right after delivery. The assessment is crucial because it helps healthcare providers identify infants who may need additional care or support, such as resuscitation or monitoring for potential complications.

The other choices do not align with the purpose of the Apgar score. The measurement of overall length and weight provides information about growth and development rather than immediate health status. Developmental milestones at six months focus on the infant's cognitive and motor development and are not relevant to the initial assessment right after birth. Maternal health during pregnancy is a separate consideration and does not factor into the immediate newborn assessment that the Apgar score is intended to perform.