Yale Observation Scales

Point Assignment

Impairment

1

none, normal

3

moderate

5

severe

Observation Item

Finding

Points

quality of cry

strong with normal tone OR content and not crying

1

whimpering OR sobbing

3

weak OR moaning OR high pitched

5

reaction to parent stimulation

cries briefly then stops, OR content and not crying

1

cries off and on

3

continual crying OR hardly responds

5

state variation

if awake then stays awake, OR if asleep wakes up quickly when stimulated

1

eyes close briefly then awake, OR if asleep wakes up after prolonged stimulation

3

falls to sleep OR will not rouse

5

color

pink

1

pale extremities OR acrocyanosis

3

pale OR cyanotic OR mottled OR ashen

5

hydration

skin normal, eyes normal, AND mucous membranes moist

1

skin normal, eyes normal, AND mouth slightly dry

3

skin doughy or tented; AND mucus membranes dry AND/OR sunken eyes

5

response (talk, smile) to Social Overtures

smiles, OR alerts (<= 2 months)

1

brief smile, OR alerts briefly (<= 2 months)

3

no smile, OR face anxious, dull or expressionless, OR no alerting (<= 2 months)

5