Virginia Apgar (1909-1974): The Mother of Neonatal Resuscitation.

ABSTRACT

Dr. Virginia Apgar was an American anesthesiologist and researcher who heavily influenced the development of neonatal resuscitation in the immediate postpartum period with her simple five-point scoring system. Today, the APGAR scoring system is used around the world in delivery rooms to guide clinicians in the evaluation of newborns and to distinguish which might need urgent resuscitation. With a simple scoring system, timer, and clipboard, Dr. Virginia Apgar shifted focus from the parturient to the neonate, improving infant mortality as a result.