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This version was machine-translated from German and has not been medically reviewed. The authoritative version is the German version.

Pediatric NIH Stroke Scale (PedNIHSS)

15 items of the NIH Stroke Scale with pediatric adaptations (Ichord 2004/2011), total 0–42 (infant scheme 0–44)

Age
1a Level of consciousness

Infants 4 months to 2 years: score × 3, items 1b and 1c are omitted.

1b Questions (age? where is the caregiver?)

From 2 years: “How old are you?” (also showing fingers) and pointing/looking to the caregiver present.

1c Commands (close eyes; “show me your nose”)
2 Best gaze
3 visual field (finger counting from 6 years, visual threat 4 months–6 years)
4 Facial palsy
5a Motor arm left

In uncooperative children, assess spontaneous or elicited movement without a time limit.

5b Motor arm right
6a Motor leg left
6b Motor leg right
7 limb ataxia (under 5 years: reaching for a toy, kicking)
8 Sensory
9 language (picture material from 6 years; 2–6 years by observation)

Infants 4 months to 2 years: 0 = responds to sounds and orients; 2 = responds without spatial orientation; 3 = does not respond.

9 Language – infant 4 months to 2 years (response to sounds)
10 Dysarthria
11 Extinction and inattention

Infants 4 months to 2 years: 1 for sensory or motor deficit, 2 for both.

Calculation aid for healthcare professionals: the calculator reproduces what the sources cited assign to the inputs. Clinical assessment and every treatment decision remain with the treating physician. Inputs and results are not stored.

Frequently asked questions

Pediatric NIH Stroke Scale (PedNIHSS): What does this calculator compute?

Pediatric NIH Stroke Scale according to the official score sheet (Ichord 2004; reliability Ichord 2011): consciousness, questions, commands, gaze, visual fields, facial palsy, motor function of the four limbs, ataxia, sensory, language, dysarthria and neglect with the pediatric adaptations – total 0–42; special scheme for infants aged 4 months to 2 years (total 0–44).

Pediatric NIH Stroke Scale (PedNIHSS): Which sources is this calculator based on?

Ichord RN, Bastian R, Abraham L, et al.: Interrater reliability of the Pediatric National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (PedNIHSS) in a multicenter study (Stroke 42:613–617) (2011); Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: Pediatric NIH Stroke Scale (PedNIHSS) – R. Ichord 2004, official score sheet (2004)