Fuzzy linguistic model for evaluating the risk of neonatal death.
OBJECTIVE
To introduce a fuzzy linguistic model for evaluating the risk of neonatal death.


METHODS
The study is based on the fuzziness of the variables newborn birth weight and gestational age at delivery. The inference used was Mamdani's method. Neonatologists were interviewed to estimate the risk of neonatal death under certain conditions and to allow comparing their opinions and the model values.


RESULTS
The results were compared with experts' opinions and the Fuzzy model was able to capture the expert knowledge with a strong correlation (r=0.96).


CONCLUSIONS
The linguistic model was able to estimate the risk of neonatal death when compared to experts' performance.
Nascimento
Luiz Fernando C
LF
Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Taubaté, Taubaté, SP, Brasil. lfcnascimento@uol.com.br
Ortega
Neli Regina S
NR
D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D017143:Fuzzy Logic; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D018570:Risk Assessment