👶 Silverman-Andersen Score (Neonatal Distress)
Grade neonatal respiratory distress with the Silverman-Andersen score.
Clinical takeaway
Higher score is worse (opposite of Apgar).
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When to use
Trend work of breathing and response to support in newborns.
How it works
Upper chest, lower chest, xiphoid retraction, nares dilatation, expiratory grunt — each 0–2. 0–10 (0 = no distress).
Key points
- Higher score is worse (opposite of Apgar).
- Useful for monitoring response to respiratory support.
- Complements oxygen saturation and blood gas.
References
Decision support for licensed clinicians only; not a substitute for clinical judgement, diagnosis or local protocols.
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| Upper chest movement | Synchronised (0) |
|---|---|
| Lower chest retraction | None (0) |
| Xiphoid retraction | None (0) |
| Nares dilatation | None (0) |
| Expiratory grunt | None (0) |
→Silverman-Andersen0/10
- Interpretation：No distress
- Note：Unlike Apgar, a higher Silverman score is worse; 0 indicates no respiratory distress.
| Upper chest movement | See-saw (2) |
|---|---|
| Lower chest retraction | Marked (2) |
| Xiphoid retraction | Marked (2) |
| Nares dilatation | Marked (2) |
| Expiratory grunt | Audible by ear (2) |
→Silverman-Andersen10/10
- Interpretation：Severe distress / impending failure
- Note：Unlike Apgar, a higher Silverman score is worse; 0 indicates no respiratory distress.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Silverman-Andersen Score (Neonatal Distress)?
- Grade neonatal respiratory distress with the Silverman-Andersen score.
- How is Silverman-Andersen Score (Neonatal Distress) calculated? What is the core formula?
- Upper chest, lower chest, xiphoid retraction, nares dilatation, expiratory grunt — each 0–2. 0–10 (0 = no distress).
- When is Silverman-Andersen Score (Neonatal Distress) used?
- Trend work of breathing and response to support in newborns.
- What are the key clinical points for Silverman-Andersen Score (Neonatal Distress)?
- Higher score is worse (opposite of Apgar). Useful for monitoring response to respiratory support. Complements oxygen saturation and blood gas.
- What are the limits and cautions when using Silverman-Andersen Score (Neonatal Distress)?
- For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
- How is Silverman-Andersen Score (Neonatal Distress) calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: Upper chest movement Synchronised (0), Lower chest retraction None (0), Xiphoid retraction None (0), Nares dilatation None (0), Expiratory grunt None (0) → Result: Silverman-Andersen 0 /10（Interpretation: No distress, Note: Unlike Apgar, a higher Silverman score is worse; 0 indicates no respiratory distress.） Inputs: Upper chest movement See-saw (2), Lower chest retraction Marked (2), Xiphoid retraction Marked (2), Nares dilatation Marked (2), Expiratory grunt Audible by ear (2) → Result: Silverman-Andersen 10 /10（Interpretation: Severe distress / impending failure, Note: Unlike Apgar, a higher Silverman score is worse; 0 indicates no respiratory distress.）