Calculators & Tools

King's College Criteria — Non-Paracetamol ALF

Poor-prognosis criteria in non-paracetamol acute liver failure - indication for transplant referral.

1 What is the King's College Criteria — Non-Paracetamol ALF?

The King's College Criteria — Non-Paracetamol ALF is a GI & Liver scoring tool used in paediatric practice. Poor-prognosis criteria in non-paracetamol acute liver failure - indication for transplant referral. It scores 6 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 6 criteria: INR > 6.5 (prothrombin time > 100 s), regardless of encephalopathy grade; Age < 10 or > 40 years; Aetiology: non-A non-B hepatitis, halothane, or idiosyncratic drug reaction; Jaundice to encephalopathy interval > 7 days; INR > 3.5 (prothrombin time > 50 s); Serum bilirubin > 17.5 mg/dL (300 µmol/L). Totals are then banded: any score - Criteria not met: criteria not met on current values. Continue intensive supportive care and reassess frequently; 3 criteria or more - Criteria MET: any 3 of the 5 minor criteria - poor prognosis. Refer urgently to a liver transplant centre; 4 criteria or more - Criteria MET: iNR >6.5 alone meets the criteria in non-paracetamol ALF - refer urgently to a liver transplant centre.
  • Criteria met by EITHER INR >6.5 alone, OR any 3 of: age <10 or >40 y, unfavourable aetiology, jaundice-to-encephalopathy >7 days, INR >3.5, bilirubin >17.5 mg/dL.
  • Source: O’Grady JG et al. Gastroenterology 1989;97:439-45.

4 Frequently asked questions

How many criteria does the King's College Criteria — Non-Paracetamol ALF use?

6. They are INR > 6.5 (prothrombin time > 100 s), regardless of encephalopathy grade; Age < 10 or > 40 years; Aetiology: non-A non-B hepatitis, halothane, or idiosyncratic drug reaction; Jaundice to encephalopathy interval > 7 days; INR > 3.5 (prothrombin time > 50 s); Serum bilirubin > 17.5 mg/dL (300 µmol/L).

What do the bands of the King's College Criteria — Non-Paracetamol ALF mean?

The total is interpreted as: any score - Criteria not met: criteria not met on current values. Continue intensive supportive care and reassess frequently; 3 criteria or more - Criteria MET: any 3 of the 5 minor criteria - poor prognosis. Refer urgently to a liver transplant centre; 4 criteria or more - Criteria MET: iNR >6.5 alone meets the criteria in non-paracetamol ALF - refer urgently to a liver transplant centre.

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?

Criteria met by EITHER INR >6.5 alone, OR any 3 of: age <10 or >40 y, unfavourable aetiology, jaundice-to-encephalopathy >7 days, INR >3.5, bilirubin >17.5 mg/dL.

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.