Apgar score and long-term respiratory morbidity of the offspring: a population-based cohort study with up to 18 years of follow-up

The objective of this study is to investigate whether a significant association exists between low 5-min Apgar scores (< 7) and respiratory morbidity of the offspring. A population-based cohort analysis was performed comparing subtypes of respiratory morbidity leading to hospitalizations among children (up to age 18 years) stratified by their 5 min Apgar scores. Data were collected from two databases of a regional tertiary center. All singleton deliveries occurring between 1991 and 2014 were included in the analysis. A Kaplan-Meier survival curve was constructed to compare cumulative respiratory-related hospitalization incidence and a Cox proportional hazards model to control for confounders. Deliveries (238,622) met the inclusion criteria. Low 5-min Apgar scores were recorded in 742 (0.3%) newborns. Incidence of respiratory hospitalizations was higher among the low 5 min Apgar score group (7.3 vs. 4.8% in the normal [≥ 7] 5 min Apgar score group; OR = 1.5, 95%CI 1.2–2.0, p = 0.003). Association remained significant in the Cox model (aHR = 1.4, 95%CI 1.1–1.9, p = 0.01). Incidence of respiratory-related hospitalizations in preterm born offspring was higher among the low vs. the normal 5 min Apgar score groups (13.4 vs. 7.2%, OR = 2.0, 95%CI 1.2–3.1 , p = 0.008). Association remained significant in the multivariable analysis (aHR = 1.6, 95%CI 1.1–2.5, p = 0.03). The survival curves demonstrated significantly higher cumulative respiratory morbidity in the low Agar score group for the entire cohort and for the preterm born subgroup.

Conclusion: Newborns, of any gestational age, with low 5 min Apgar scores appear to be at an increased risk for pediatric respiratory morbidity.