Apgar 9/10/10 – what does it mean?
⚠︎ Learning page – classification and study figures only, no treatment recommendation.
In short
Apgar 9/10/10 means 9 points at 1 minute, 10 points at 5 minutes and 10 points at 10 minutes. All three scores lie in the 7–10 group, which the MSD Manual describes as normal for the 5-minute score.
The figures describe groups in the cited studies, not the risk of an individual person. This page contains no treatment or management recommendation.
Where the 9 at one minute comes from
A score of 9 results when exactly one of the five signs is scored 1 instead of 2 points – there are 5 ways for this, for example Colour (appearance): body pink, extremities blue (1) – other signs 2 points. 10 points means all five signs score 2 points.
Apgar set the first assessment at 60 seconds after birth. It later emerged that the 5-minute score correlates more closely with mortality and later neurological outcome than the 1-minute score (Apgar 1966).
Other frequently searched combinations
For 8/9/10, 9/9/10 or 10/10/10 the same principle applies: each number is a separate total at the respective time point. All of these values lie in the 7–10 group; 10/10/10 means a full score at all three time points.
Limitations
According to the AAP and ACOG (2015), the Apgar score alone is neither evidence nor a consequence of asphyxia and does not predict mortality or neurological outcome in the individual infant. A score assigned during resuscitation is not equivalent to that of a spontaneously breathing infant. Scores depend on maturity and birthweight, among other factors (MSD Manual).
All groups at a glance
Calculate it yourself
Enter the criteria in the Apgar score calculator – it runs only in your browser.
FAQ
Is Apgar 9/10/10 good?▾
All three scores lie in the 7–10 group, which the MSD Manual describes as normal for the 5-minute score. The Apgar score describes the condition immediately after birth and is not a prognosis for the individual infant (AAP/ACOG 2015).
Why three numbers?▾
The numbers are the Apgar scores at 1, 5 and 10 minutes, separated by slashes.
Can the score at one minute be lower than later?▾
Yes. Each time point is scored independently, so sequences such as 8/9/10 or 9/10/10 are possible.
References
- Apgar V. A proposal for a new method of evaluation of the newborn infant. Curr Res Anesth Analg 1953;32:260–7. · PubMed
- Apgar V. The newborn (Apgar) scoring system. Reflections and advice. Pediatr Clin North Am 1966;13:645–50. · PubMed
- American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The Apgar score. Pediatrics 2015;136:819–22. · PubMed
- MSD Manual Professional Edition: Neonatal Resuscitation (Stand 02/2025) – Abschnitt Apgar Score. · msdmanuals.com
Learning page for medical education only: classification and figures reported in the cited sources, no treatment or management recommendation, not for use in patients; not a medical device. Last updated: 10/2026 · Dr. Pascal Bafteh