When should the APGAR score be performed after birth?

The APGAR score is a quick assessment of a newborn's health, performed soon after birth to determine if they require immediate medical attention. The correct timing for the APGAR score is at 1 minute and again at 5 minutes after birth. This method provides essential information about the newborn’s physical condition immediately after delivery and then evaluates how well the baby is adapting to life outside the womb.

At 1 minute, the score helps assess how well the baby tolerated the birthing process, while the score at 5 minutes helps to evaluate the effectiveness of resuscitation efforts and overall adaptation to extra-uterine life. Performing the test at these intervals allows healthcare providers to monitor the infant’s transition and respond appropriately to any needs.

Other timeframes, such as assessing immediately after birth or at later intervals like 15 or 20 minutes, would not provide the optimal immediate insight needed for those crucial first moments of life. Therefore, measuring the APGAR score at 1 and 5 minutes post-partum offers the critical timing necessary for assessing a newborn’s transition and well-being.