Question

create a chart explainingthe importance of the apgar score for a diabetic newborn

Answer 1

The APGAR score is the assessment and monitoring of newborn vital signs immediately after delivery. It is usually measured in the first 5 minutes and 10 minutes. It has a scoring system that ranges from 0 to 10. The APGAR score of a newborn is assessed by using the following chart.

Indicator	0 Points	1 point	2 points
A - Activity (muscle tone)	Floopy	Limb flexed	Active movement
p - Pulse	Absent	Below 100bpm	Above 100bpm
G - Grimace (reflex)	Floopy	Minimal response to stimulation	Greater response to stimulation
A - Appearance(color)	Blue with pale	Pink with extremities blue	Pink all over the body
R - Respiration	Absent	Irregular, weak cry	Normal respiration with a good cry.

• If the score is between 0 to 3, it is considered as critically low and needs immediate intervention.
• If the score is between 4 to 6 is considered as moderately abnormal.
• If the score is above 7, it is considered as normal.

The diabetic newborn baby usually has a low APGAR score and should be repeated at 10, 15, and 20 minutes interval. The child requires immediate medical intervention. Otherwise, the baby develops respiratory distress, birth asphyxia, brachial plexus injury, etc. This can occur in babies whose mother blood sugar level is not controlled properly. Sometimes in gestational diabetes, the imbalance between the glucose and insulin level due to resistance allows the glucose to enter into the baby bloodstream. This makes the baby macrosomic. These babies are at high risk of birth complications. This can be prevented by proper managing of the diabetic mother during pregnancy.