Nursery Neurobiologic Risk Score: Levels of Risk and Relationships with Nonmedical Factors

This study compares the Neurobiologic Risk Score (NBRS) with developmental outcome in 199 infants ⩽1500 g birth weight to determine levels of risk and to investigate the relative contributions of the NBRS and nonmedical factors to developmental outcome. The NBRS correlated significantly (p <.0001) with the Bayley Mental (MOl) and Psychomotor (POI) Indexes, and neurologic examination score (NS) at 6, 15, and 24 months. Three risk groups were identified: Low, NBRS ⩽4; intermediate, NBRS 5 to 7; and high, NBRS ⩾8 with an incidence of major handicaps at 24 months of 7%, 32%, and 50%, respectively. Of eight factors considered, the NBRS accounted for the greatest variance: MOl, 14 to 27%; POI, 25 to 29%; NS, 34 to 42%. Additional increments of variance were contributed by gender (MOl, POI, NS), maternal intelligence and race (MOl), and maternal education (POI). The NBRS is a useful tool for identifying risk for developmental abnormalities due to neonatal medical events.