Use of CRIB score to evaluate preterm infants' risk of death

The objective of the study is to compare the capacity of the CRIB score against the birth weight and gestational age for predicting neonatal mortality risk. A retrospective analysis was performed in 127 newborns with a birth weight less than or equal to 1500g or gestational age less than 31 weeks that were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) between 1994 to 1999. The infants were born in other hospitals and sent to the Children's Hospital during the first hours of life. The overall mortality among the newborn studied was 28.3%. The mortality rate varied according to the birth weight, gestational age and CRIB score, Greater mortality was observed among the newborn with a CRIB score > 6, birth weight < 1080g and gestational age < 29 weeks. The birth weight proved to be the greatest risk factor for predicting mortality.