Right after birth, doctors check how your baby is doing—and they start with the APGAR score.  It’s a quick, five-part test to assess how well your newborn is adapting to life outside the womb. The evaluation looks at things like breathing, heart rate, and muscle tone.

Most parents see it as a regular part of the process that passes without much concern. However, if the number is low in those initial minutes, it might indicate that something went wrong during birth. Not every low score suggests a major problem, but at times it shows complications that proper care could have prevented. If you’re uncertain or worried about how your delivery was managed, you might want to talk to a medical malpractice attorney who can help you understand your rights and what to look into.

What Is the APGAR Score?

You might not hear about it much before delivery, but the APGAR score is one of the first tools doctors use to check in on your newborn’s condition right after birth. It’s a simple, fast assessment that helps medical staff understand how your baby is doing in those first critical minutes.

The score is based on five areas: Appearance (skin tone), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (response to stimulation), Activity (muscle movement), and Respiration (breathing effort). Each category is scored from 0 to 2, with a total possible score of 10. It’s typically recorded at one and five minutes after birth—and sometimes again at ten minutes if needed.

A high score indicates a newborn is adapting well, while a low score suggests the baby needs closer observation or immediate attention. Although it doesn’t forecast long-term health outcomes, the APGAR score provides a quick glimpse of how things are going from the beginning and can highlight issues that might require further evaluation.

What the Scores Mean

The APGAR score goes from 0 to 10, with each of the five categories getting a score from 0 to 2. Here’s how those numbers break down:

• 7 to 10: This range typically indicates a positive outcome. It shows your baby is adapting well, with strong breathing, a steady heart rate, and good muscle tone.
• 4 to 6: A score in this range points to your baby needing some extra support such as assistance with breathing or encouragement to get started.
• 0 to 3: This score raises serious concerns. It indicates your baby is in severe distress and requires immediate medical care.

It’s also worth knowing that the first score (at one minute) tells doctors how your baby handled the birth, while the five-minute score shows how they’re doing now that they’re out in the world. A low score doesn’t always mean long-term problems, but if it stays low or wasn’t handled properly, it could point to issues that deserve a closer look.

When Low APGAR Scores Raise Legal Concerns

While a low APGAR score can simply mean a newborn needs some extra care, there are times when it may point to something more serious. If a baby experiences distress during labor, like a drop in oxygen levels or if medical staff delay necessary action, that score can reflect the impact.

A low score alone doesn’t prove something went wrong. But if it stays low and the baby later has seizures, brain injury, or developmental delays, you might want to examine how the birth happened.

These moments count. The speed of the medical team’s response, the quality of monitoring, and adherence to protocols—all these factors can have an impact on the outcome. If you have doubts or think something wasn’t right during delivery, it’s smart to talk to a medical negligence lawyer who can help you understand what happened and whether you have grounds to take action.

What Parents Can Do Next

If your baby scored low on the APGAR test and you’ve begun to notice signs that something might be wrong, like delays in development or other health issues, you’ll have questions. The best thing you can do is talk to your child’s doctor. Ask them to do a complete check-up and keep a record of all medical reports, follow-up visits, and any changes you see in how your child acts or grows.

If you are still feeling unsure about how the delivery was handled or think something may have been missed, it may be worth talking to a medical negligence lawyer. They can walk you through what happened, help you understand whether any mistakes might have contributed to your child’s condition, and explain what steps you can take to move forward. It is about making sure your child gets the care and support they need—and that your questions get the answers they deserve.

Speak to a Medical Negligence Lawyer From Latona Law Today

If you worry about your child’s birth handling or have questions about a low APGAR score, talking with a skilled medical negligence lawyer can bring clarity. At Latona Law, we focus on medical negligence and birth injury cases, giving families dedicated legal support when they need it most.

With over 30 years of experience, our firm has a strong reputation across Pennsylvania for handling tough cases with care and understanding. We know what families go through and work hard to hold healthcare providers responsible when they make mistakes.

Reach out to Latona Law for a free consultation to learn more about your rights and take the next step toward protecting your child’s future.