Likelihood of acute appendicitis in a child with abdominal pain.
The Pediatric Appendicitis Score (PAS) is a GI & Liver scoring tool used in paediatric practice. Likelihood of acute appendicitis in a child with abdominal pain. 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.
8. They are Cough / percussion / hopping tenderness in RLQ; Right lower quadrant tenderness; Anorexia; Pyrexia ≥ 38 °C; Nausea or vomiting; Migration of pain to RLQ; and others.
The total is interpreted as: any score - Low risk: pAS ≤3 - appendicitis unlikely. Consider discharge with review, or observation if the story is atypical; 4 points or more - Equivocal: pAS 4-6 - equivocal. Imaging (ultrasound first in children) and/or serial examination with surgical input; 7 points or more - High risk: pAS ≥7 - appendicitis likely. Surgical referral; many centres proceed without further imaging.
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 0-10.
Yes. Score definitions are bundled with the PediAid app, so the score computes without a connection.