Calculators & Tools

Glasgow-Blatchford Score (Upper GI Bleed)

Predicts need for intervention (transfusion, endoscopy, surgery) in upper GI bleeding.

1 What is the Glasgow-Blatchford Score (Upper GI Bleed)?

The Glasgow-Blatchford Score (Upper GI Bleed) is a GI & Liver scoring tool used in paediatric practice. Predicts need for intervention (transfusion, endoscopy, surgery) in upper GI bleeding. It scores 8 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.

2 When to use it

  • Grading severity at the bedside in GI & Liver
  • Recording an objective severity band in the case notes
  • Deciding when a total crosses the threshold for escalation
  • Re-scoring to track whether a child is improving or deteriorating
  • Checking the exact criteria of a score used infrequently

3 Formula & method

The score sums 8 criteria: Blood urea; Haemoglobin; Systolic blood pressure; Pulse ≥ 100/min (or tachycardia for age); Melaena; Syncope; Hepatic disease; Cardiac failure. Totals are then banded: any score - Very low risk: score 0 - very low risk. Outpatient management with early endoscopy may be appropriate in adults; in children, admit if there is any diagnostic doubt; 1 point or more - Intermediate risk: score 1-5 - intermediate risk. Admit for observation and plan endoscopy; 6 points or more - High risk: score ≥6 - high risk of needing intervention. Resuscitate, cross-match, start acid suppression and arrange urgent endoscopy.
  • Originally derived and validated in adults; paediatric thresholds for haemoglobin and blood pressure must be age-adjusted.
  • Source: Blatchford O, Murray WR, Blatchford M. A risk score to predict need for treatment for upper-gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Lancet 2000;356:1318-21.

4 Frequently asked questions

How many criteria does the Glasgow-Blatchford Score (Upper GI Bleed) use?

8. They are Blood urea; Haemoglobin; Systolic blood pressure; Pulse ≥ 100/min (or tachycardia for age); Melaena; Syncope; and others.

What do the bands of the Glasgow-Blatchford Score (Upper GI Bleed) mean?

The total is interpreted as: any score - Very low risk: score 0 - very low risk. Outpatient management with early endoscopy may be appropriate in adults; in children, admit if there is any diagnostic doubt; 1 point or more - Intermediate risk: score 1-5 - intermediate risk. Admit for observation and plan endoscopy; 6 points or more - High risk: score ≥6 - high risk of needing intervention. Resuscitate, cross-match, start acid suppression and arrange urgent endoscopy.

Does the score replace clinical judgement?

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.

Where does this score come from?

Originally derived and validated in adults; paediatric thresholds for haemoglobin and blood pressure must be age-adjusted.

Does it work offline?

Yes. Score definitions are bundled with the PediAid app, so the score computes without a connection.

For qualified clinicians. This page and the PediAid app are a clinical aid only. Calculations and reference data must be verified against the patient's clinical context, the source guideline and your local protocols before any treatment decision is made.