What score indicates severe pancreatitis?

A Ranson score of 3 or more is the threshold for severe pancreatitis and substantially higher mortality risk. Scores of 5 or more indicate high risk of death and are an indication for ICU-level care.

Why are there two sets of criteria at different time points?

The 5 admission criteria capture the initial severity of the inflammatory insult. The 6 criteria assessed at 48 hours reflect ongoing organ dysfunction and third-space fluid losses, which often predict severity more reliably than admission findings alone. Both sets together provide a more complete picture.

What are the Ranson criteria thresholds?

Admission: age >55, WBC >16,000/mm³, blood glucose >200 mg/dL, serum LDH >350 IU/L, AST >250 IU/L. At 48 hours: hematocrit fall ≥10 percentage points, BUN rise >5 mg/dL, serum calcium 4 mEq/L, estimated fluid sequestration >6 L.

Does this tool work for gallstone pancreatitis?

The original Ranson criteria were validated for alcoholic (non-gallstone) pancreatitis. Modified thresholds exist for gallstone pancreatitis (e.g., age >70, glucose >220 mg/dL, LDH >400 IU/L). This tool uses the original thresholds; note the etiology when applying the score.

How does the Ranson score compare to other pancreatitis scoring systems?

The Ranson score requires no imaging and can be fully calculated at the bedside by 48 hours. Other systems include the BISAP score (5 criteria, computable at admission), the CT Severity Index (requires imaging), and APACHE II (general ICU severity). Each has different data requirements and timing.

Is this calculator a substitute for clinical judgment?

No. This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. All pancreatitis management decisions — including ICU admission, fluid resuscitation, and imaging — must be made by qualified healthcare professionals based on full patient assessment.

Ranson Criteria Calculator — Acute Pancreatitis Severity Score

Summary

Check which of the 11 Ranson criteria are present (5 at admission, 6 at 48 hours) to instantly score acute pancreatitis severity and estimate mortality risk.

How it works

At admission, check each of the 5 criteria that apply to the patient.
At 48 hours after admission, check each of the 6 criteria that are present.
Each checked criterion adds 1 point to the Ranson score.
The calculator totals all checked criteria and displays the score.
Read the severity band: 0–2 mild (<1% mortality), 3–4 moderate (~15%), 5–6 severe (~40%), 7–11 critical (>99%).
Use the result alongside clinical judgment to guide ICU admission and management decisions.

Use cases

Triage patients admitted with acute pancreatitis to appropriate level of care.
Support decisions about ICU versus ward admission based on predicted severity.
Communicate disease severity to consulting surgical or gastroenterology teams.
Identify patients at high risk for complications who need aggressive fluid resuscitation.
Reassess severity at 48 hours to detect deterioration not apparent at presentation.
Serve as an educational reference for medical students and residents learning pancreatitis scoring.
Complement imaging (CT severity index) in assessing risk of pancreatic necrosis.
Document admission severity for audit, quality improvement, and research purposes.

Ranson Criteria for Pancreatitis

At Admission — 5 Criteria

At 48 Hours — 6 Criteria

Ranson Score

Criteria Breakdown

Management Guidance

Score Interpretation & Mortality Risk