title: Nursery neurobiologic risk score: levels of risk and relationships with nonmedical factors.
abstract: This study compares the Neurobiologic Risk Score (NBRS) with developmental outcome in 199 infants < or = 1500 g birth weight to determine levels of risk and to investigate the relative contributions of the NBRS and nonmedical factors to developmental outcome. The NBRS correlated significantly (p < .0001) with the Bayley Mental (MDI) and Psychomotor (PDI) Indexes, and neurologic examination score (NS) at 6, 15, and 24 months. Three risk groups were identified: low, NBRS < or = 4; intermediate, NBRS 5 to 7; and high, NBRS > or = 8 with an incidence of major handicaps at 24 months of 7%, 32%, and 50%, respectively. Of eight factors considered, the NBRS accounted for the greatest variance: MDI, 14 to 27%; PDI, 25 to 29%; NS, 34 to 42%. Additional increments of variance were contributed by gender (MDI, PDI, NS), maternal intelligence and race (MDI), and maternal education (PDI). The NBRS is a useful tool for identifying risk for developmental abnormalities due to neonatal medical events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin, Madison.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Brazy
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Oehler
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Gustafson
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011247:Pregnancy; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment