Croup Score
Info
Color normal dusky cyanotic cyanotic on O(2)
Air movement normal mild decrease moderate decrease marked (down)
Retractions none mild moderate severe
Mentation normal restless lethargic obtunded
Stridor none mild moderate severe/obstructed
R e s u l t s
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Total score
 
Severity
 
Treatment
 
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Info
Croup Score

Croup Score (add the 5 elements together) 1

Feature   0 1 2 3
Color normal dusky cyanotic cyanotic on O 2
Air movement normal mild decrease moderate decrease marked decrease
Retractions none mild moderate severe
Mentation normal restless  lethargic obtunded
Stridor none mild  moderate  severe/obstructed
Total score Severity Treatment
0-4 mild cool mist, home care
5-6 mild/moderate cool mist, admit if <6 months or unreliable family
7-8 moderate racemic epinephrine, consider steroids, admit most
9-14 severe racemic epinephrine, steroids, ICU admission
15 terminal racemic epinephrine, steroids, intubation

1 Any category with score of 3, classify as severe. Taussig: Am J Dis Child 1975; 129:790.

Reference:

  1. Taussig LM, Castro O, Beaudry PH, et al. Treatment of laryngotracheobronchitis (croup). Use of intermittent positive-pressure breathing and racemic epinephrine. Am J Dis Child. 1975;129(7):790-3.
  2. Weber JE, Chudnofsky CR, Younger JG, et al. A randomized comparison of helium-oxygen mixture (Heliox) and racemic epinephrine for the treatment of moderate to severe croup. Pediatrics. 2001;107(6):E96.