What score does an infant receive for respiratory effort if they do not breathe at all?

In evaluating respiratory effort in infants, particularly in the context of the Apgar score, the scoring system is designed to assess various aspects of the newborn's physical condition at one and five minutes after birth. The respiratory effort is one of the five criteria assessed.

If an infant does not breathe at all, this indicates a complete absence of respiratory effort. In the Apgar scoring system, a score of zero is assigned when there is no breathing or respiratory effort present. This score reflects the gravity of the infant's condition and signals that immediate intervention may be necessary.

A score of zero is significant because it helps healthcare providers quickly assess the need for urgent care, such as resuscitation. Other scores within the respiratory category are awarded for different levels of respiratory effort: a score of one would be given for weak and irregular breathing, while higher scores indicate regular and robust breathing. Thus, in the scenario provided, the appropriate scoring for an infant exhibiting no respiratory effort at all is indeed zero.