SNAPPE II score: predictor of mortality in NICU

Abstract

Background: Advances in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) have significantly decreased mortality and morbidity and increased survival rate in neonates. SNAPPE II (Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology-Perinatal Extension II) score, which is a modified version of the SNAP score (Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology) helps in predicting the neonatal mortality. The aim of the study was to assess the risk of mortality using SNAPPE II score in neonates admitted to NICU.Methods: It was a prospective validation study done in a tertiary care hospital. Data was collected from 116 new borns admitted to NICU within 48 hours of birth who required respiratory support between December 2017 to June 2018.Results: A total of 116 newborns admitted to the NICU was included in present study. Out of 116 babies, 56 (48%) had mild SNAPPE-II score, 44 (38%) had moderate score and 16 (14%) had severe score. Among the 44 babies with moderate score, 12 (27%) died, which was statistically significant (P<0.001). Among 16 babies with severe score, 13 (81%) babies died, which was highly statistically significant (P<0.0001). Urine output, seizures, serum pH in the first 24 hours of life are independent predictors of mortality with significant p value (0.001).Conclusions: The SNAPPE-II score recorded in the first 48 hours of life could be a good predictor of mortality in babies admitted to NICU.