Is the CRIB score (clinical risk index for babies) a valid tool in predicting neurodevelopmental outcome in extremely low birth weight infants?

The study aimed to assess how well the severity of clinical conditions in e xtremely low birth weight infants in the first 12 h of life, as measured by the CRIB (clinical risk index for babies), relates to hospital outcome and subsequent disability at 18 months of age. The CRIB was confirmed as a val id index of initial neonatal risk, even in extremely low birth weight infan ts, predicting hospital outcome (death or major brain lesions) more accurat ely than birth weight or gestational age. However, an adjustment of the CRI B score for gestational age might enhance its positive predictive value in relation to shortterm developmental outcome in this particular population.