Introduction. The Apgar score was developed in 1952 and used like a convenient method for reporting the status of the newborn infant immediately after birth. Despite the advent of modern technology, the Apgar score remains the best tool for the identification of newly born infants in need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Aim of the study. To evaluate if the Apgar score remains pertinent in contemporary practice after more than 60 years of wide use, and to assess the value of the Apgar score in predicting infant survival, expanding from the neonatal to the post-neonatal period. Material and methods. A retrospective study performed by analysis of medical charts (n=116) of all live newborns hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit from Neonatology I Clinic of Târgu Mureș County Clinical Emergency Hospital between January-December, with data up to 28 days of life in reference to weight, Apgar score, survival and cause of mortality. Cases were analyzed by the Fisher exact test (p < 0.05). Results. In 116 births, there were 20 deaths, 65% during the first week, 35% during the first day of life and 25% of them with Apgar < 6 in the 1st minute. In the group with 1,000-2,000 g weight, the association with Apgar < 4 in the 1st minute with mortality was four-fold greater than in the >2,999 g weight group. Among newborns with Apgar 8-10, the rate of mortality and low weight was not significant statistically compared to newborns of the group over 2500 grams weight [OR=1,12; 95%IC=0,11-11,37&#93;. Severe respiratory distress syndrome and prematurity were associated with early neonatal death; malformations and perinatal hypoxia to late mortality. Conclusions. The Apgar score proved linked to factors both epidemiological and related to attention given to the birth and neonatal mortality and was associated with extremely low birth weight.