Ranson criteria

Ranson criteria is a clinical prediction rule used in the diagnosis of pancreatitis. It was developed in the 1970s by Dr. John Ranson and his colleagues as a means of predicting the severity and prognosis of acute pancreatitis.

Overview

The Ranson criteria consist of 11 factors, five of which are assessed at the time of admission and six during the first 48 hours of hospitalization. These factors include age, white blood cell count, blood glucose level, serum LDH, and serum AST among others. The presence of three or more of these factors indicates a severe case of pancreatitis with a high risk of mortality.

Criteria

The Ranson criteria are as follows:

At admission

• Age > 55 years
• White blood cell count > 16,000/mm³
• Blood glucose > 200 mg/dL
• Serum LDH > 350 IU/L
• Serum AST > 250 U/dL

During first 48 hours

• Hematocrit fall > 10%
• BUN rise > 5 mg/dL
• Serum calcium < 8 mg/dL
• Arterial PO2 < 60 mmHg
• Base deficit > 4 mEq/L
• Estimated fluid sequestration > 6 L

Prognosis

The Ranson criteria are used to predict the prognosis and severity of acute pancreatitis. If a patient meets three or more of the criteria, they are considered to have a severe case of pancreatitis with a high risk of mortality. The mortality rate increases with the number of criteria met.

See also

• Acute pancreatitis
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Pancreatic necrosis
• Pancreatic pseudocyst