Cohort

Cohort study

Pediatrics

Internal medicine

Prospective cohort study

Respiratory system

Medicine

Journal of Perinatology

To determine if the Silverman Andersen respiratory severity score, which is assessed by physical exam, within 1 h of birth is associated with elevated carbon dioxide level and/or the need for increased respiratory support. Prospective cohort study including 140 neonates scored within 1 h of birth. We report respiratory scores and their association with carbon dioxide and respiratory support within 24 h. Carbon dioxide level correlated with respiratory score (n = 33, r = 0.35, p = 0.045). However, mean carbon dioxide for patients with score <5 vs. ≥5 did not differ significantly (56 vs. 67, p = 0.095). Patients with respiratory scores ≥5 had respiratory support increased within 24 h more often than those with scores <5 (79% vs. 28%, p < 0.001). The Silverman Andersen respiratory severity score may be valuable for predicting need for escalation of respiratory support and facilitate decision making for transfer in low-resource settings.

Performance of the Silverman Andersen Respiratory Severity Score in predicting PCO2 and respiratory support in newborns: a prospective cohort study