Comparison of Neonatal Mortality and Morbidity Prediction Tools for Surgical Nec Patients

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a leading contributor of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Few risk-prediction models exist to inform discussions with families before surgery or guide risk-adjustment for between center comparisons of surgical outcomes. Useful prediction models should be parsimonious, validated, well-calibrated, and include inputs using readily accessible pre-operative data. In addition, the performance of currently available prediction tools, including the Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology Perinatal Extension (SNAPPE-II), Vermont Oxford Risk Adjustment Tool (VON) and American College …