Inflammation-weighted appendicitis score, useful for risk stratification.
The AIR Score (Appendicitis Inflammatory Response) is a GI & Liver scoring tool used in paediatric practice. Inflammation-weighted appendicitis score, useful for risk stratification. It scores 7 criteria and interprets the total across 3 bands, so the number always arrives with the severity it implies rather than on its own. In PediAid each criterion is shown as a labelled option with the weight it carries, so the total can be checked rather than taken on trust.
7. They are Vomiting; Pain in the right iliac fossa; Rebound tenderness or muscular defence; Body temperature ≥ 38.5 °C; Polymorphonuclear leucocytes; White blood cell count; and others.
The total is interpreted as: any score - Low probability: aIR 0-4 - low probability. Outpatient follow-up if the patient is well; consider discharge with review; 5 points or more - Indeterminate: aIR 5-8 - indeterminate group. Admit for observation, serial examination and/or imaging; 9 points or more - High probability: aIR 9-12 - high probability of appendicitis. Surgical exploration is generally indicated.
No. It is a structured way to record and communicate severity. A clinician concerned about a child should act on that concern regardless of the total.
Total range 0-12. Performs well in children and adults, particularly for advanced appendicitis.
Yes. Score definitions are bundled with the PediAid app, so the score computes without a connection.