Sepsis and Mortality Prediction in Very Low Birth Weight Infants: Analysis of HeRO and nSOFA

Objective Scores to predict sepsis or define sepsis severity could improve care for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. The heart rate characteristics (HRC) index (HeRO score) was developed as an early warning system for late-onset sepsis (LOS), and also rises before necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The neonatal sequential organ failure assessment (nSOFA) was developed to predict sepsis-associated mortality using respiratory, hemodynamic, and hematologic data. The aim of this study was to analyze the HRC index and nSOFA near blood cultures in VLBW infants relative to diagnosis and sepsis-associated mortality. Study Design Retrospective, single-center study of VLBW infants from 2011 to 2019. We analyzed HRC index and nSOFA around blood cultures diagnosed as LOS/NEC. In a subgroup of the cohort, we analyzed HRC and nSOFA near the first sepsis-like illness (SLI) or sepsis ruled-out (SRO) compared with LOS/NEC. We compared scores by diagnosis and mortality during treatment. Results We analyzed 179 LOS/NEC, 93 SLI, and 96 SRO blood culture events. In LOS/NEC, the HRC index increased before the blood culture, while nSOFA increased at the time of culture. Both scores were higher in nonsurvivors compared with survivors and in LOS/NEC compared with SRO. The nSOFA 12 hours after the time of blood culture predicted mortality during treatment better than any other time point analyzed (area under the curve 0.91). Conclusion The HRC index provides earlier warning of imminent sepsis, whereas nSOFA after blood culture provides better prediction of mortality. Key Points