🧒 Pediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS)
Calculate the Brighton Pediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS) to detect clinical deterioration in hospitalized children.
Pediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS)
Behaviour
Cardiovascular
Respiratory
Continuous nebulizer (q20min bronchodilator) or CPAP
Persistent post-operative vomiting
When to use
Early identification of deteriorating children to trigger escalation and rapid response.
How it works
Behaviour + cardiovascular + respiratory (each 0–3) + continuous nebs/CPAP and post-op vomiting (+2 each). Total ≥ 3 escalate, ≥ 5 consider RRT, any single domain = 3 high risk.
Key points
- Any single domain scoring 3 is high risk regardless of total.
- Carer/nurse concern should be able to escalate beyond the score.
- Compare HR/RR against age-specific ranges.
References
Decision support for licensed clinicians only; not a substitute for clinical judgement, diagnosis or local protocols.