Assessment of Severity and Prediction of Outcomes in Premature Newborns Based on the nSOFA Scale

Abstract

The objective: to evaluate the applicability of the nSOFA scale as a predictor of an unfavorable outcome in premature newborns.Subjects. The study was designed as retrospective and observational. The study enrolled 109 newborns with a gestational age of ≤ 32 weeks of pregnancy (birth weight 1,071 (772‒1,451) g, gestational age 29 (26‒32) weeks, 22 (20,4%) patients died. nSOFA scores were determined based on the first 72 hours after birth, and a peak values were used for analysis. Death was considered an unfavorable outcome.Results. The nSOFA score > 3 was associated with a odds ratio = 2.5 (CI 1.39–4.64, p = 0.002) for an unfavorable outcome. The area under the ROC curve was 0.796 (95% CI = 0.763–0.827).Conclusion. The nSOFA scale is an acceptable tool for measuring the severity of organ dysfunction and predicting mortality in premature newborns, regardless of the etiology of the disease.

Keywords

• assessment of organ dysfunction
• premature birth
• neonatal intensive care