Child Pugh Score Calculator

What is Child-Pugh Score?

The Child-Pugh score is a system used by doctors to assess the prognosis of chronic liver disease, particularly cirrhosis. It is used to estimate the liver’s function and the severity of the disease, which helps in guiding the treatment plan and predicting the outcome. The score is based on five clinical measures:

• Bilirubin levels: Bilirubin is a substance produced by the liver. High levels can indicate liver dysfunction.
• Albumin levels: Albumin is a protein made by the liver, and low levels can suggest poor liver function.
• INR (International Normalized Ratio): This measures blood clotting; liver disease can lead to longer clotting times.
• Ascites: The accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, indicating severe liver disease.
• Hepatic encephalopathy: A disorder caused by liver dysfunction, leading to brain issues like confusion or coma.

Patients are scored in each category as 1 (least severe), 2 (moderately severe), or 3 (most severe). The total score can range from 5 to 15, classifying patients into Class A (5-6 points, least severe), Class B (7-9 points, moderate severity), or Class C (10-15 points, most severe). This classification helps determine the patient’s prognosis and the need for potential liver transplantation.

References:

• Child CG, Turcotte JG. Surgery and portal hypertension. Major Probl Clin Surg. 1964;1:1-85. PMID: 4950264.
• Pugh RN, Murray-Lyon IM, Dawson JL, Pietroni MC, Williams R. Transection of the oesophagus for bleeding oesophageal varices. Br J Surg. 1973 Aug;60(8):646-9. doi: 10.1002/bjs.1800600817. PMID: 4541913.