Correlation Between Perfusion Index and Clinical Risk Index for Babies II Score in Preterm Sick Neonates: A Prospective Cohort Study

This study aims to investigate the correlation between perfusion index (PI) and Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB) II score in sick preterm neonates < 37-week gestation admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

This observational study was conducted over period of 18 months in a tertiary care centre. All eligible preterm neonates admitted to NICU were examined. The PI and CRIB II score for each neonate were documented. The primary outcome of the study was correlation between PI and CRIB II scores at admission.

383 neonates were enrolled in the study. Mean gestation of neonates was 32 weeks. A strong correlation between PI and CRIB II scores at admission was noted (P = 0.01). We demonstrated a strong association between PI at admission and predischarge mortality of neonates with 92.9% sensitivity and 70% specificity. Lower PI was associated with need of inotropes and invasive ventilation and longer duration of hospital stay. Combined use of PI and CRIB II predicted mortality with 83.3% sensitivity and 80.5% specificity.

The perfusion index is a potential bedside measure that correlated well with the CRIB II score, which is a validated tool to assess sick preterm neonates. Preductal PI at admission was associated with predischarge mortality, length of hospital stay, inotrope requirement and need for ventilator support in preterm neonates.