OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the CRIB (Clinical Risk Index for Babies) score as mortality predictor in all newborn at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and to compare with birthweight and gestational age. METHODS: observational study with newborn admitted at NICU of University Hospital of Taubaté. The variables were CRIB score, birth weight, gestational age, use of surfactant, umbilical catheter, neonatal asphyxia and death. The association between CRIB score and other variables was estimated. The values of sensitivity, specificity, predictive and negative values and relative risk and 95% confidence interval of were estimated and created ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) curves to CRIB, birth weight and gestational age. Student t test and linear trend chi2 were applied to statistical analysis. The significance level was alfa = 5%. RESULTS: the death was associated with elevated values of CRIB and there was trend of more cases with use of surfactant, umbilical catheter, neonatal asphyxia and deaths with upper class of CRIB. The ROC curve of CRIB had a larger area under the curve than ROC curve for birth weight and gestational age. CONCLUSIONS: the CRIB score was as good predictor to death when applied to all newborn.
Infant mortality; Intensive care; Infant; newborn; Risk
