Wang score bronchiolitis calculator

Use this Wang score bronchiolitis calculator as the main bronchiolitis severity hub when you want a broader respiratory snapshot. If your pathway needs a different scoring style, start with the comparison links below.

• Bronchiolitis score calculators hub - Start here when you need to choose between Wang score, RDAI, and mild/moderate/severe bronchiolitis bands.
• Bronchiolitis score comparison - Use this guide when you need to compare Wang score, RDAI, and severity bands before choosing a tool.
• Wang score bronchiolitis calculator - Best when you want one bronchiolitis score that includes respiratory rate, wheeze, retractions, and general condition on the 0-12 scale.
• RDAI bronchiolitis score calculator - Use when your pathway wants a wheeze-and-retractions-only bronchiolitis score without respiratory rate or general condition.
• Bronchiolitis severity bands - Use for a quick mild, moderate, or severe bronchiolitis band when your workflow is built around pathway categories rather than a formal point score.

The Wang Respiratory Score assigns 0-3 points across four domains for a total score from 0-12. Higher scores indicate more severe respiratory distress. General condition is scored as either normal (0) or irritable/lethargic/poor feeding (3).

• Respiratory rate is measured while the child is calm and not crying.
• Wheeze and retractions are assessed on exam without interventions in progress.
• Use the same approach at repeat assessments to track trends.

• Respiratory rate: 0 points <30, 1 point 30-45, 2 points 46-60, 3 points >60.
• Wheeze: none (0), terminal expiration/only with stethoscope (1), entire expiration or audible without stethoscope (2), inspiration and expiration without stethoscope (3).
• Retractions: none (0), intercostal recession (1), tracheosternal recession (2), severe with nasal flaring (3).
• General condition: normal (0), irritable/lethargic/poor feeding (3).

• 0-4 (Mild): monitor and support feeding; many infants can be managed outpatient with follow-up.
• 5-8 (Moderate): consider observation or admission depending on oxygenation, hydration, and risk factors.
• 9-12 (Severe): high risk for deterioration; escalate respiratory support and consider higher-acuity care.

Severity bands vary by institution. Use local thresholds if they differ.

• Apnea, cyanosis, or persistent hypoxemia despite oxygen.
• Severe work of breathing, grunting, or exhaustion.
• Poor feeding with dehydration or decreased urine output.
• High-risk infants (prematurity, chronic lung disease, congenital heart disease, age under 6 weeks).

• After suctioning, hydration support, or oxygen change: repeat score in the same care block.
• If stable mild/moderate course: continue interval reassessment per bronchiolitis pathway.
• If worsening work of breathing, apnea concern, or feeding decline: immediate repeat score and escalation.

• Current total score and component findings (RR, wheeze, retractions, general condition).
• Oxygen/hydration status and intervention timing.
• Trend from prior reassessment and risk modifiers (prematurity/comorbidities).
• Next reassessment time and escalation threshold.

Wang score is broader: respiratory rate + wheeze + retractions + general condition, for a 0-12 Wang bronchiolitis severity score. RDAI is narrower and follows wheeze plus retractions on a 0-17 scale.

Use Wang when you need the bedside appearance and respiratory rate in the score. Use the RDAI bronchiolitis score calculator when your protocol is specifically trending wheeze and retraction burden.

• RDAI bronchiolitis score calculator
• Bronchiolitis severity bands
• Westley croup score
• Oxygenation Index (OI)
• Dehydration in Children
• Pediatric Vital Signs
• Bronchiolitis score calculators hub

• Mohamed AA et al. Clinical Scoring Systems for Bronchiolitis. AFJBS. 2024. Table 1 (Wang Respiratory Score).
• CHAM Bronchiolitis Pathway (inpatient) for severity bands.