[The use of CRIB score for predicting neonatal mortality risk].
OBJECTIVE
To examine the clinical risk index for babies (CRIB) predictive value for hospital death; to identify the score variable with the best predictive value and to compare CRIB score capability to predict hospital mortality to birth weight, gestational age and base excess.


METHODS
CRIB score was obtained through a prospective way from 100 newborns with birthweight of 1,500 g or less or gestational age less than 31 weeks, who were admitted consecutively to the Neonatal Unit of Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná.


RESULTS
Fifty-five newborns were females and 45 were males, the average birthweight was 1,078 +/- 0.277 g and gestational age was 29.2 +/- 2.8 weeks. Twenty-one patients died. The mortality rate in the CRIB groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 was, respectively 6.6%; 46.2%; 87.5% and 100.0%. The score accuracy for mortality was confirmed (area under the ROC curve=0.877) and the best score variable to predict hospital death was maximum base excess (area under the ROC curve=0.795). Compared with birthweight and gestational age, CRIB was significantly better to predict mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
Besides being useful to predict hospital death, CRIB was a simple score to be applied. Based on these results, we recommend its inclusion in the routine of neonatal units.
Sarquis
Ana Lúcia F
AL
Pediatria, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR. anasarquis@terra.com.br
Miyaki
Mitsuru
M
Cat
Mônica N L
MN