Second Apgar score fundamental in the detection of cerebral palsy

The Apgar scoring system has been tested on newborns since 1952. The name represents an acronym (appearance, pulse, grimace, activity and respiration) and tests corresponding to these criteria take place one, five and ten minutes after a baby’s birth, and then a score is given of between zero and ten, ten being the maximum score, which indicates optimum health.

New research, which has been undertaken by scientists from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet, analysed information received from Sweden’s medical birth registry, and involved studying details of healthy babies born over a thirteen year period. This information was then cross-referenced against registers of children born with cerebral palsy or epilepsy, to calculate the diagnosis risk for each Apgar score.

Amongst the babies with cerebral palsy, the risk increased with decreasing scores, which was as expected. At five minutes, those who had scored nine had twice the risk of developing CP when compared to those who scored 10. Those that scored zero had a 280-fold risk. The risk multiplied when the five and ten minute tests were compared against each other, and when comparing babies with top scores both times to babies who scored ten in the first test and nine in the second.

The medical community has long since known of the relationship between Apgar scores and the risk of cerebral palsy or epilepsy. However, this new study has found that low scores do not necessarily mean that a diagnosis is inevitable.

Associate professor at the university Martina Persson, said “It’s important to remember that even if the relative risks are high, the absolute risks of CP and epilepsy are still small. This means that most babies with very low Apgar scores will not develop cerebral palsy or epilepsy.

“The results show that it’s important to evaluate neonate vitality at both five and ten minutes, even if the score is normal at five. We also need to work actively with the babies who do not score full Apgar points since it is likely to improve their prospects.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s team of medical negligence lawyers have years of experience in high value and complex medical negligence compensation claims and have an excellent record. The team is led by Tony May, a specialist cerebral palsy and birth injury solicitor, who has over 20 years experience in handling cases in which babies have been brain damaged or sustained other injuries as a result of medical negligence. He and his team continue to represent many cerebral palsy children and young adults in medical negligence claims. Tony also acts as the Court of Protection Deputy for many of the cerebral palsy and brain damaged clients that he has represented, so we can continue to support you after your case is settled. Tony can be contacted by email on tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk. Alternatively, please call and speak to any of Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist medical negligence Legal Aid and no win-no fee solicitors for free legal advice on the freephone number below.

Freephone: 0800 304 7382