Several different scoring systems have been developed to predict neona
tal morbidity and mortality, In this investigation we compared the uti
lity of four severity of illness scoring systems (SISS) as predictors
of days on ventilator (DOV), length of hospital stay (LOS), and mortal
ity in very-low-birth weight (VLBW) premature infants who required mec
hanical ventilation, The SISS assessed were the Score for Neonatal Acu
te Physiology (SNAP); the Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology-Perinata
l Extension (SNAP+PE); Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB), and the
Sinkin Score at 12 hours (SS12) Results revealed significant correlati
ons among the SS12, SNAP, SNAP+PE, CRIB, birth weight (BW), DOV, and L
OS. However, none of the systems we assessed offered striking advantag
e over BMT in a VLBW ventilated group.