Prior et al used a composite score to evaluate neonates following delivery. The authors are from Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital and Imperial College London.
Patient selection: neonate soon after birth
Parameters:
(1) Apgar score
(2) arterial pH in cord blood
(3) base excess in mmol/L
(4) admission to the neonatal ICU
|
Parameter |
Finding |
Points |
|
Apgar score |
>= 7 at 1 minute |
0 |
|
|
< 7 at 5 minutes |
2 |
|
|
< 7 at 1 minute but >= 7 at 5 minutes |
1 |
|
arterial pH cord blood |
>= 7.2 |
0 |
|
|
7.10 to 7.19 |
1 |
|
|
7.00 to 7.09 |
2 |
|
|
< 7.00 |
3 |
|
base excess |
>= -8 mmol/L |
0 |
|
|
-12 to -8.1 |
1 |
|
|
< -12 mmol/L |
2 |
|
neonatal ICU admission |
no |
0 |
|
|
yes |
1 |
where:
• Acidosis is associated with a more negative base excess.
• The normal range for base excess in neonates is -10to -2 mmol/L (Wu AHB. Tietz Clinical Guide to Laboratory Tests, Fourth Edition. 2006).
total score =
= SUM(points for all 4 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 8
• The higher the score the more severe the neonate's condition.
Specialty: Pedatrics
ICD-10: ,
