Characterization of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in very low birthweight infants: a new sequential scoring system.

To define multiple organ dysfunction in newborns, we established a sequential scoring system NEOMOD (Neonatal Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score). It was developed to describe the process of increasing physiologic derangement in critically ill newborns. It provides, during the first 28 days of life, information concerning function of organ systems having a primary influence on mortality in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Our scoring system has been used in 142 VLBW infants. It evaluates moderate (1 point) or severe dysfunction (2 points) in 7 organ systems (central nervous system, cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems, and hemocoagulation and acid-base balance) in 24-h intervals from day 1 to 28 of life. Maximum possible value of NEOMOD was 14 points. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used for assessing predictive accuracy of maximum NEOMOD score obtained by daily scoring for mortality rate. AUC (area under curve) attained by NEOMOD was 0.95 for mortality within the first 28 days and 0.91 for hospital mortality, respectively. In the study group, NEOMOD score of > or = 9 was associated with 100% mortality. An analysis of specific organ dysfunctions in the non-survivors group (n = 16) disclosed, in all patients, dysfunction of more than two organ systems 24 h before death. Similar to critically ill adults, secondary multiple organ dysfunction can be described also in a majority of critically ill VLBW infants. NEOMOD scores may help to evaluate daily the severity of the syndrome and risk of death.