The objective of the study is to compare the capacity of the CRIB score aga
inst the birth weight and gestational age for predicting neonatal mortality
risk. A retrospective analysis was performed in 127 newborns with a birth
weight less than or equal to 1500g or gestational age less than 31 weeks th
at were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) between 1994 to
1999. The infants were born in other hospitals and sent to the Children's
Hospital during the first hours of life. The overall mortality among the ne
wborn studied was 28.3%. The mortality rate varied according to the birth w
eight, gestational age and CRIB score, Greater mortality was observed among
the newborn with a CRIB score > 6, birth weight < 1080g and gestational ag
e < 29 weeks. The birth weight proved to be the greatest risk factor for pr
edicting mortality.