PRISM III

Name: PRISM III
Creator: Daniel Diaz-Gil, MD
Keywords: PRISM, PRISM III, pediatric risk, mortality, PICU, critical care, intensive care, severity, illness, physiologic, organ failure, pediatric

Pediatric Risk of Mortality III - Severity score for PICU patients

PRISM III (Pediatric Risk of Mortality) is a validated mortality prediction tool for pediatric ICU patients ages 1-17 years, incorporating multiple physiologic and laboratory variables to estimate in-hospital mortality risk. Developed from data on over 10,000 PICU admissions, this scoring system helps clinicians prognosticate outcomes, compare institutional ICU performance, and guide intensity of therapy. Apply this calculator within 24 hours of PICU admission in all pediatric patients to assess mortality risk, facilitate family discussions about outcomes, and adjust care intensity as appropriate.

Clinically Verified· 5 tests

For educational and informational purposes only. Verify all results before clinical application.

Systolic Blood Pressure *

Heart Rate *

Temperature *

Mental Status *

Pupil Reflexes *

Acidosis (pH) *

PCO2 *

PO2 *

Glucose *

Potassium *

Creatinine *

White Blood Cells (WBC) *

Platelets *

Prothrombin Time (PT) *

References

Pollack MM, Patel KM, Ruttimann UE. PRISM III: an updated Pediatric Risk of Mortality score. Crit Care Med. 1996;24(5):743-752.[DOI]
Schlapbach LJ, et al. International Consensus Criteria for Pediatric Sepsis and Septic Shock. JAMA. 2024;331(8):665-674.[DOI]

Reviewed by Daniel Diaz-Gil, MD · Last updated March 2026

Medical disclaimer

This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional clinical judgment. Always independently verify results before making clinical decisions.

Professional Resources — Tools used by pediatricians for clinical scoring

PEWS Reference CardsPediatric Early Warning Score quick-reference cards for bedside use~$15via Amazon Pediatric Digital ScaleAccurate weight measurement for clinical assessment~$40via Amazon BoardVitals Pediatrics QbankBoard-style questions for general pediatrics certificationsubscriptionvia BoardVitals