What does a low Apgar score indicate about a newborn's condition?

A low Apgar score indicates that a newborn may have potential health complications. The Apgar score is a quick assessment performed on a newborn at one and five minutes after birth, evaluating five criteria: appearance, pulse, grimace response, activity, and respiration. Each criterion is scored from 0 to 2, with a maximum total score of 10.

Scores below 7 typically suggest that the newborn may need medical attention due to possible issues such as respiratory distress, inadequate heart rate, or difficulty with reflexes. A low score can be an indicator that the infant is not adapting well to life outside the womb and could face challenges that require immediate intervention or monitoring to prevent further health concerns. Hence, a low Apgar score serves as a critical early warning sign to health professionals regarding the newborn's wellbeing.