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Legal Glossary
Apgar Score: When a child is born, a physician will take note of the baby's activity - including the muscle tone, pulse, grimace, reflex irritability, appearance, skin color, and respiration. These observations are done immediately after birth and then again five minutes later. A score of zero to ten is given. A low score alerts a doctor that immediate care may be necessary and a high score may confirm a healthy baby. Children with cerebral palsy often receive low Apgar scores.