Sick Neonate Score as Predictor of Neonatal Mortality and Duration of Hospital Stay

Abstract

Abstract Background: Sick neonate score (SNS) is a simple clinical score that requires minimal basic equipment and expertise. It is utilized for the prediction of mortality among neonates. Objective: The objective of this study was to study the correlation of SNS with mortality and duration of hospital stay of admitted neonates. Methodology: This hospital-based observational descriptive study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Jaipur, Rajasthan. A total of 404 outborn transported neonates were enrolled. Baseline characteristics and SNS were recorded and analyzed. Categorical data were presented in numbers and percentages, whereas continuous data in mean and standard deviation. The Chi-square test and unpaired t-test were used for analysis. Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis was used to estimate the cutoff value of SNS determining the mortality and duration of hospital stay of the patient. Results: Out of 404 neonates 243 (60%) were tachypneic, 242 (59%) had oxygen saturation <92% and 216 (53%) were hypothermic. A cutoff of SNS ≤8 with a sensitivity of 93% and specificity is 53.4% was found for prediction of mortality among neonates. A significantly higher number of patients with SNS score ≤8 had expired within 3 days. Among discharged patients, a significantly higher number of patients with SNS score ≤8 had a duration of stay in hospital >7 days. Conclusion: SNS has a good negative correlation with mortality. Neonate with SNS ≤8 either expired early or was discharged with a higher duration of hospital stay.