An indication of good health in a newborn is an Apgar score of?

An Apgar score of at least 7 indicates good health in a newborn. The Apgar scoring system evaluates five criteria: appearance (skin color), pulse (heart rate), grimace response (reflex), activity (muscle tone), and respiration (breath effort), each scored from 0 to 2, for a maximum total score of 10.

Scores of 7 to 10 suggest that the newborn is in good condition, with adequate physiological adjustment to the extrauterine environment. A score lower than 7 may indicate the need for medical intervention or monitoring, as it reflects some degree of distress or potential health concerns.

Therefore, a minimum score of 7 is often utilized as a criterion for healthy newborns, as it implies effective respiratory function and a satisfactory level of cardiovascular stability. The higher the score, particularly nearing 10, generally represents better overall condition; however, scores below 7 are more concerning and would alert healthcare providers for further assessment and potential intervention.