Predictive perinatal score in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis

A scoring system for prediction of neonatal sepsis was evolved after determining the interdependence of perinatal risk factors for infection. Records of 100 babies with a history of one or more perinatal risk factors were analysed for incidence of infection within 4 hours of birth and followed for 1 week thereafter for appearance of any clinical or laboratory signs of infection. The incidence of sepsis was compared amongst various risk factors. Since majority of perinatal risk factors occur in combinations interdependence of factors was determined using actuarial analysis and score assignment was done whether the factor was dependent or independent. No definite infection was seen in the control group of 100 babies having no history of high risk factors. The scoring system thus elucidated is recommended as a screening procedure for selecting of neonates for laboratory evaluation.