Which score indicates that an infant has normal respiratory function according to APGAR criteria?

The APGAR scoring system is a quick assessment tool used to evaluate the health of newborns shortly after birth. It measures five criteria: Appearance (skin color), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace response (reflexes), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration (breathing effort). Each of these criteria is assigned a score ranging from 0 to 2, with the total score being calculated out of a possible 10 points.

In the context of respiratory function, a score of 2 indicates that the infant is breathing vigorously or has a strong cry, which demonstrates normal respiratory function. This is crucial because proper respiration immediately after birth is vital for the infant's well-being, as it helps ensure adequate oxygenation and supports overall metabolic activity.

A score of 1 for respiratory function would suggest that the infant is exhibiting some respiratory effort, but not enough to be considered normal, such as showing weak or irregular breathing. A score of 0 would indicate no breathing efforts, which is a sign of distress and necessitates urgent medical intervention. Therefore, only a score of 2 indicates that the infant has normal respiratory function according to the APGAR criteria.