Technical Notes
Papers of Virginia Apgar Added to Profiles in Science®
The National Library of Medicine Profiles in Science Web site has been enriched by the addition of the papers of Virginia Apgar, M.D., creator of the widely used Apgar Score to evaluate newborns. The Library has collaborated with the Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections to digitize her papers and make them widely available. This brings to 18 the number of notable scientists who have personal and professional records included in Profiles in Science.
In 1949, faced with unacceptably high newborn mortality rates in her hospital's maternity ward, Virginia Apgar (1909-1974), an anesthesiologist, set out to ensure that newborns in distress got the prompt attention they needed. Using the same signs anesthesiologists monitored during and after surgery−heart rate, respiration, reflex irritability, muscle tone, and color−she developed a simple, rapid method for assessing the medical condition of newborn babies. Quickly adopted by obstetric teams, her method (now known as the Apgar Score) reduced infant mortality and laid the foundations of neonatology.
"Dr. Apgar brought enormous intelligence and energy to everything she did. Her newborn scoring method put neonatology on a firm scientific basis, and she made substantial contributions to anesthesiology and the study of birth defects. I personally found her a memorable and inspiring teacher," said Donald A. B. Lindberg, M.D., Director of the National Library of Medicine.
The online exhibit features correspondence, published articles, photographs, lectures, and speeches from Apgar's files. An introductory exhibit section places Apgar's achievements in historical context.
