Severity Index of Neonatal Septicemia in Neonatal Intensive Care units Using Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology-II

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the competence of the score for neonatal acute physiology (SNAP-II) as a tool to anticipate morbidity and mortality of neonates with early or late sepsis in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted on all neonates of 32 weeks with sepsis in tertiary NICUs at Cairo University Children Hospital and El Galaa Hospital For Armed Forces Officers Families, Cairo, Egypt, within May-October 2019. The eligible samples consisted of 100 neonates with septicemia who met inclusion and exclusion criteria and were enrolled. the score for neonatal acute physiology-II was calculated within 24 h of sepsis onset and followed up for 2 weeks for mortality and organ dysfunction (OD). The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 25). Results: It was revealed that SNAP-II was significantly higher in neonates who passed away, compared to the survived neonates (46±17 vs. 12±10, respectively; P 0.001). Moreover, SNAP-II was significantly higher in neonates who developed OD within 14 days of sepsis onset, compared to those without OD (37±17 vs. 9±7, respectively; P 0.001). The score for neonatal acute physiology-II at 14.5 was considered the best cut-off point in predicting OD with a sensitivity of 100%, positive predictive value of 70.4%, specificity of 81.2%, and negative predictive value of 100%. In addition, SNAP-II at 23.5 was considered the best cut-off point in predicting overall mortality with 100% sensitivity, 58.6% PPV, 85.5% specificity, and 100% NPV. Conclusion: Higher SNAP-II within 24 h of the early- or late-onset neonatal sepsis was a reliable predictor of OD and death.