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Pediatric Asthma Severity Score (PASS)

Three-item bedside score for acute pediatric asthma exacerbation severity.

Pediatric Asthma Severity Score (PASS)
Wheezing
Work of breathing (retractions/accessory muscle use)
Prolongation of expiration
Result0 points

Milder exacerbation on this 0-6 scale (each of 3 items scored 0-2).

When to use

  • Rapid bedside assessment of acute asthma severity in children roughly 1-18 years old.

Formula

PASS = wheezing (0-2) + work of breathing (0-2) + prolongation of expiration (0-2). Range 0-6.

Pearls and pitfalls

  • Interobserver reliability was good to excellent (kappa 0.72-0.83) in the derivation study.

References

  1. Gorelick MH, Stevens MW, Schultz T, 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.