👶 Westley Croup Score
Grade croup severity in children with the Westley score.
Clinical takeaway
Most children have mild croup (dexamethasone).
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When to use
Standardise croup assessment and guide treatment intensity.
How it works
Level of consciousness, cyanosis, stridor, air entry and retractions, summed 0–17. ≤ 2 mild, 3–7 moderate, ≥ 8 severe.
Key points
- Most children have mild croup (dexamethasone).
- Nebulised adrenaline for moderate–severe disease.
- Observe for rebound after adrenaline.
References
Decision support for licensed clinicians only; not a substitute for clinical judgement, diagnosis or local protocols.
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| Level of consciousness | Normal (0) |
|---|---|
| Cyanosis | None (0) |
| Stridor | None (0) |
| Air entry | Normal (0) |
| Retractions | None (0) |
→Westley0/17
- Severity：Mild
- Management：Usually a single dose of dexamethasone.
| Level of consciousness | Disoriented (5) |
|---|---|
| Cyanosis | At rest (5) |
| Stridor | At rest (2) |
| Air entry | Markedly decreased (2) |
| Retractions | Severe (3) |
→Westley17/17
- Severity：Severe (≥ 8) — impending respiratory failure
- Management：Nebulised adrenaline, steroids, close airway monitoring.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Westley Croup Score?
- Grade croup severity in children with the Westley score.
- How is Westley Croup Score calculated? What is the core formula?
- Level of consciousness, cyanosis, stridor, air entry and retractions, summed 0–17. ≤ 2 mild, 3–7 moderate, ≥ 8 severe.
- When is Westley Croup Score used?
- Standardise croup assessment and guide treatment intensity.
- What are the key clinical points for Westley Croup Score?
- Most children have mild croup (dexamethasone). Nebulised adrenaline for moderate–severe disease. Observe for rebound after adrenaline.
- What are the limits and cautions when using Westley Croup Score?
- For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
- How is Westley Croup Score calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: Level of consciousness Normal (0), Cyanosis None (0), Stridor None (0), Air entry Normal (0), Retractions None (0) → Result: Westley 0 /17（Severity: Mild, Management: Usually a single dose of dexamethasone.） Inputs: Level of consciousness Disoriented (5), Cyanosis At rest (5), Stridor At rest (2), Air entry Markedly decreased (2), Retractions Severe (3) → Result: Westley 17 /17（Severity: Severe (≥ 8) — impending respiratory failure, Management: Nebulised adrenaline, steroids, close airway monitoring.）