Comparison of predictive effect of two neonatal early warning scores on transfer rate of newborns to neonatal intensive care unit

ObjectiveTo investigate the predictive effects of modified newborn early warning score(MNEWS) and newborn early warning score(NEWS) on the transfer of newborns to neonatal intensive care unit(NICU).

MethodsMNEWS and NEWS were used to evaluate 328 newborns.According to the evaluation scores, the predictive effects of the two early warning scores on the transfer rate of newborns to NICU were analyzed.According to whether the children were admitted to NICU, they were divided into NICU group and general ward group.The scoring time of MNEWS and NEWS in the two groups were compared.

ResultsThe total MNEWS score≥6 points, number of cases with single score ≥3 points and total score of newborns in NICU group were significantly higher than those in general ward group(P < 0.01), and the prediction rate of single score(87.50%) was significantly higher than that of total score(70.24%)(P < 0.01).The total NEWS score ≥2 points and total score of newborns in NICU group were significantly higher than those in general ward group(P < 0.01).The area under ROC curve(AUC), 95%IC, sensitivity and specificity of MNEWS for transfer of newborns to NICU were 0.899, 0.889-0.934, 89.28% and 81.13%, respectively.The AUC, 95% IC, sensitivity and specificity of NEWS for transfer of newborns to NICU were 0.712, 0.687-0.765, 69.12% and 76.65%, respectively.The scoring time of MNEWS to evaluate the scores of children on admission was(54.12±3.51) s, which was significantly longer than(49.15±3.25) s of NEWS(t=18.81, P < 0.01).

ConclusionsBoth MNEWS and NEWS can predict the transfer of newborns to NICU.The index range of MNEWS is more detailed and reasonable, and MNEWS has a higher predictive effect on the transfer of newborns to NICU, which is worthy of clinical application.