Pediatric Asthma Severity Score (PASS)
Gorelick's Pediatric Asthma Severity Score for acute asthma in children aged 1–18: wheezing, work of breathing and prolongation of expiration, each 0–2 (total 0–6).
Score interpretation
Lower severity on the Pediatric Asthma Severity Score (0–6).
→ Inhaled bronchodilator via spacer; reassess after treatment; discharge with a written asthma action plan if improving.
A PASS above 2 predicts an ED stay longer than 6 hours or hospital admission (Gorelick 2004).
→ Repeated bronchodilators, ipratropium and a systemic corticosteroid (doses from a children's formulary); reassess frequently; escalate (IV therapy, senior / PICU review) if not improving.
Interpretation bands for the Paediatric Asthma PASS. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- Gorelick MH, Stevens MW, Schultz TR, Scribano PV. Performance of a novel clinical score, the pediatric asthma severity score (PASS), in the evaluation of acute asthma. Acad Emerg Med. 2004;11(1):10–18.
- Lee MO, Sivasankar S, Pokrajac N, Smith C, Lumba-Brown A. Emergency department treatment of asthma in children: a review. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open. 2020;1(6):1552–1561.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Salbutamol (Paediatric — Asthma/Wheeze) · Short-Acting Beta-2 Agonist (SABA)
- Hydrocortisone (IV — Paediatric Emergency) · IV Corticosteroid / Adrenal Replacement
- Prednisolone (Paediatric) · Corticosteroid — Asthma Exacerbation / Croup / Nephrotic Syndrome / IBD
- Montelukast (Paediatric) · Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist — Asthma Prophylaxis / Allergic Rhinitis
- Magnesium Sulphate IV (Acute Asthma) · Bronchodilator / Smooth muscle relaxant
- Magnesium Sulphate (IV — ICU/Anaesthesia) · Electrolyte / Anticonvulsant / Tocolytic
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.