Does Vasoactive Inotrope score predict morbidity and mortality in premature babies weighing less than 1000 grams?

INTRODUCTION: The vasoactive inotropic score (VIS) was first used to assess inotropic exposure in neonates with congenital heart disease and was subsequently shown to predict postoperative mortality. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between VIS and morbidity and mortality in preterm infants.
METHODS: This is a retrospective and cross-sectional study. The files of 77 premature babies weighing less than 1000 grams, who were hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the University of Health Sciences Zeynep Kamil Maternity and Children’s Training and Research Hospital between January 2019 and January 2020, were evaluated retrospectively. Demographic data, antenatal and perinatal findings, postnatal clinical findings, postnatal 1st and 48th hour systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressures, pH, base deficit, and lactate values were recorded. The maximum VIS (VISmax) at the postnatal 48th hour was calculated.
RESULTS: In the preterm infants, a VISmax value of 80 (85% sensitivity, 47% specificity) and a VISmax value of 7.5 (97% sensitivity, 57% specificity) were found to be predictive for pulmonary hypertension and mortality, respectively.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: A VISmax value of 7.5 and a VISmax value of 80 predict mortality and pulmonary hypertension in preterm infants with extremely low birth weight. Further studies are needed.