Ranson's Criteria Calculator

Use Ranson's Criteria Calculator to estimate mortality risk in acute pancreatitis. Enter 5 admission criteria (age, WBC, glucose, LDH, AST) and 6 criteria measured at 48 hours (hematocrit fall, BUN rise, calcium, pO2, base deficit, fluid sequestration). Your Ranson score and corresponding estimated mortality rate are calculated from these 11 clinical parameters.

Disclaimer: This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any health-related decisions.

Age > 55 years? *

Measured at admission

WBC > 16,000/mm³? *

White blood cell count at admission

Glucose > 200 mg/dL? *

Serum glucose at admission

LDH > 350 IU/L? *

Serum LDH at admission

AST > 250 IU/L? *

Serum AST (SGOT) at admission

Hematocrit fall > 10%? *

Drop in hematocrit from admission value

BUN rise > 5 mg/dL? *

Rise in blood urea nitrogen at 48 hours

Calcium < 8 mg/dL? *

Serum calcium at 48 hours

pO2 < 60 mmHg? *

Arterial oxygen tension at 48 hours

Base deficit > 4 mEq/L? *

Base deficit at 48 hours

Fluid sequestration > 6L? *

Estimated fluid sequestration at 48 hours

Results

Ranson's Score

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Estimated Mortality Risk

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Severity Classification

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Admission Criteria Met

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48-Hour Criteria Met

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Results Table

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ranson's Criteria and why is it used?

Ranson's Criteria is one of the earliest scoring systems developed to predict the severity and mortality risk of acute pancreatitis. Introduced in 1974 by Dr. John Ranson, it uses 11 clinical and lab parameters assessed at admission and 48 hours later. It remains a widely referenced tool for clinical decision-making despite newer scoring systems being available.

What are the 5 criteria measured at admission?

The five admission criteria are: age greater than 55 years, WBC greater than 16,000/mm³, serum glucose greater than 200 mg/dL, serum LDH greater than 350 IU/L, and AST (SGOT) greater than 250 IU/L. Each criterion present adds one point to the total Ranson score.

What are the 6 criteria measured at 48 hours?

The six 48-hour criteria are: hematocrit fall greater than 10%, BUN rise greater than 5 mg/dL, serum calcium below 8 mg/dL, arterial pO2 below 60 mmHg, base deficit greater than 4 mEq/L, and estimated fluid sequestration greater than 6 liters. These reflect the systemic response to ongoing pancreatic injury.

What does each Ranson score indicate in terms of mortality?

A score of 0–2 is associated with approximately 1% mortality (mild pancreatitis). A score of 3–5 carries a 15–20% mortality risk (moderate to severe). A score of 6 is associated with roughly 40% mortality, and a score greater than 6 approaches nearly 100% mortality, reflecting severe systemic complications.

How does Ranson's Criteria compare to other pancreatitis scoring systems?

Ranson's Criteria was groundbreaking when introduced but has limitations — it cannot be completed until 48 hours after admission and has moderate predictive accuracy. Modern alternatives such as BISAP, APACHE II, and the Revised Atlanta Classification are also commonly used. A meta-analysis of 110 studies found the Ranson score to have an AUC of around 0.75 for predicting severity.

Can Ranson's Criteria be used for gallstone pancreatitis?

The original Ranson's Criteria was developed for alcohol-related pancreatitis. A modified version exists for gallstone (biliary) pancreatitis, which uses slightly different thresholds (e.g., age > 70, glucose > 220 mg/dL, LDH > 400 IU/L, AST > 250 IU/L). This calculator uses the original non-gallstone criteria.

Is a high Ranson score always fatal?

A score above 6 is associated with very high mortality, but outcomes depend on the quality and speed of clinical intervention, ICU care, and individual patient factors. Ranson's score is a prognostic guide, not a definitive predictor — it should be used alongside clinical judgment and other assessments.

What should clinicians do with the Ranson score result?

Patients with a score of 0–2 may be managed conservatively with supportive care. Scores of 3 or more warrant closer monitoring, consideration of ICU admission, and further imaging. Scores above 5 suggest severe pancreatitis requiring aggressive resuscitation and specialist involvement. Always integrate the score with the full clinical picture.