One of the key newborn baby checks, devised in the 1950s, focuses on the baby's skin colour to assess the baby's condition immediately after birth. The Apgar score system includes whether a baby's skin tone is 'pink' or 'blue', with blue skin tone being a sign of a lack of oxygen. Whilst there is logic to this, there is an inherent racial bias in this description of skin colour which could put babies with darker skin tones or from non-white ethnicities at risk.  

The NHS Race and Health Observatory has raised significant concerns about this focus on skin colour in the Apgar score assessment. This is the standard way all newborn babies are assessed immediately after being born and a few minutes later. The score can be a key determinative factor in recognising a very unwell baby and starting urgent treatment. Missing signs of concern, such as lack of oxygen, can be catastrophic for a newborn baby.

Every student midwife, medical student and junior doctor will have the Apgar scoring system drilled into them. It guides medical care and has done so for generations. But as the study has concluded, there is an inherent racial bias. As the NHS Race and Health Observatory report says: “We need to address the limitations in visual examinations of newborns, such as Apgar scores, where the assessment of skin colour can potentially disadvantage black, Asian and ethnic minority babies with darker skin. The results from this initial review highlight the bias that can be inherent in healthcare interventions and assessments and lead to inaccurate assessments, late diagnosis and poorer outcomes for diverse communities."

Of course, medical professionals won't focus on the Apgar score alone but in very busy hospitals streamlined systems with clinically robust measures are crucial. Literally every minute counts in neonatal care. 

Sadly we sometimes see the human consequences of missing warning signs in newborn babies and delays in starting urgent treatment, such as our client whose story is written here.

If you have been affected by the issues in this article, please feel free to contact us to discuss how we might be able to help you. We're happy to talk with you about your concerns and what your legal options are, without any obligation or charge. You can reach Ann Houghton on 0121 212 7476 or ann.houghton@anthonycollins.com or any of our team.