Final answer:
The newborn in the question, born at 32 weeks with an Apgar score of 3 at 1 minute and 7 at 5 minutes, is considered premature and displays signs of respiratory distress. The Apgar score assesses the baby's condition after birth, and a score below 7 could signify the need for medical assistance. The symptoms suggest neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, common in premature infants.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the Apgar Score
A baby born at 32 weeks gestation with a weight of 1,100g and an Apgar score of 3 at 1 minute and 7 at 5 minutes is considered premature and shows signs of respiratory distress, such as nasal flaring, grunting, and intercostal retractions. The Apgar test is a quick test performed on a newborn at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth. The score is based on five criteria: skin color, heart rate, reflex irritability, muscle tone, and respiration, each of which is scored 0, 1, or 2. A score of 7 to 10 is generally considered normal, indicating that the baby has made the transition from the womb well. A score of 3 at 1 minute indicates significant distress, but improvement to a 7 at 5 minutes shows progress. However, any score below 7 could potentially indicate the need for medical assistance.
The characteristics seen in this newborn suggest the presence of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), commonly seen in premature infants. The infant's low body weight and the described symptoms are typical for premature neonates and further medical evaluation and intervention to support breathing may be required.