Sho et al developed a score for identifying a premature infant at risk for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) totalis. This can help to identify a neonate who may require more aggressive management. The authors are from Childern's Hospital of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh.
Patient selection: premature neonate with necrotizing enterocolitis
Parameters:
(1) age in days
(2) serum creatinine in mg/dL
(3) serum phosphate in mEq/L
(4) platelet count
Parameter |
Finding |
Points |
age |
<= 7 days |
0 |
|
>= 8 days |
1 |
serum creatinine |
<= 0.8 mg/dL |
0 |
|
> 0.8 mg/dL |
1 |
serum phosphate |
<= 6.0 mEq/L |
0 |
|
> 6.0 mEq/L |
1 |
platelet count |
>= 150,000 per µL |
0 |
|
80,000 to 149,999 |
1 |
|
< 80,000 per µL |
2 |
totalis score =
= SUM(points for all 4 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 5
• The higher the score the more likely that the patient will develop NEC totalis.
Performance:
• A score >= 3 had a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 78% for NEC totalis.
• A score >= 4 had a sensitivity of 58% and specificity of 97%.
Specialty: Gastroenterology, Pedatrics
ICD-10: ,