The Very Low Birthweight Infant: Incidence and Significance of Low Apgar Scores, “Asphyxia,” and Morbidity

ABSTRACT

Cord blood gas determinations were made on arterial and venous blood from 78 babies weighing less than 2000 gm at birth, including 52 weighing 1500 gm or less. Correlations were made with Apgar scores and intrapartum events as well as with birthweight (BW) and gestational age (GA). Significant differences were seen between mean BW, GA, and Apgar scores for survivors versus nonsurvivors but only BW and GA were found to affect mortality. The incidence of low Apgar scores, which was high, was inversely related to BW and GA. Correlations between cord blood gases and Apgar scores were poor, most newborns showing normal gases irrespective of Apgar scores. The authors conclude that the term “asphyxia” is an overused explanation for low Apgar scores among very low birthweight babies; they believe it should be reserved for those depressed states proved to be associated with disturbed respiratory physiology.