APGAR Scores & Birth Injuries

Understanding APGAR Scores and What They Can Reveal About Birth Injuries Like HIE and Cerebral Palsy

When a baby is born, doctors immediately perform a quick assessment. This is called the APGAR score and shows how well the newborn is adapting to life outside the womb. It’s given at 1 minute, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes after birth, and scores range from 0 to 10.

While many parents are told the APGAR score is “just routine,” a low APGAR score at 5 and 10 minutes can be the first red flag that something went wrong—especially if a baby later requires cooling therapy or is diagnosed with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) or Cerebral Palsy (CP).

What Does the APGAR Score Measure?

APGAR stands for:

  • Appearance (skin color)
  • Pulse (heart rate)
  • Grimace (reflexes)
  • Activity (muscle tone)
  • Respiration (breathing)

Each category is scored 0–2, and the total score ranges from 0 (most concerning) to 10 (healthy). Babies with scores of 7–10 are considered normal, while scores below that raise concern. The longer the baby’s Apgar score stays lower, the more concern there is.

If a baby’s Apgar score is below 5 at 5 or 10 minutes, it’s highly suggested to have a case reviewed by a medical malpractice lawyer to determine if negligence caused the baby’s injury at birth. If negligence occurred, significant compensation may be available for both the mother and baby.

When Do Doctors Use Cooling Therapy?

If a baby’s APGAR scores remain low and signs of brain injury are present, doctors may begin Therapeutic Hypothermia (Cooling Therapy). This treatment involves cooling the baby’s body temperature to around 92°F for 72 hours. It helps reduce further brain damage caused by oxygen loss during delivery.

Cooling therapy is typically used in babies that meet certain criteria, including:

  • Born between 36 – 40+ weeks
  • Less than 6 hours since delivery
  • APGAR score below 5 at 5 or 10 minutes
  • Need for resuscitation or ventilator through 10 minutes of life
  • Signs of Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy or seizures
  • Signs of acidosis (through lab works or bloodwork)

Why it Matters

If your baby was born full-term and received cooling therapy or had an APGAR score below 5 at 5 or 10 minutes, it may indicate that something went wrong during labor and delivery.

In many cases, low APGAR scores are caused by preventable medical errors, such as delayed C-sections, missed signs of fetal distress, or improper use of Pitocin.

If your child experienced any of the above, uncover the truth through a Free Case Review Call. Our team will review your medical records for free. If negligence is found, our team will file and work to recover compensation for your family. There is never an upfront cost to you. Our team only gets paid if we recover money for you.

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