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

Westley Croup Score

Severity of a croup episode: consciousness, cyanosis, stridor, air entry, retractions, 0–17 points

Level of consciousness

normal (also when asleep) 0 disoriented 5

Cyanosis

none 0 when excited 4 at rest 5

Stridor

none 0 when excited 1 at rest 2

Air entry

normal 0 reduced 1 markedly reduced 2

Retractions

none 0 mild 1 moderate 2 severe 3

Severity by Westley sum

Total	Designation according to source
0–2	mild
3–7	moderate
8–11	severe
12–17	impending respiratory failure

Table 2 in AAFP-CROUP-2018: ≤ 2 mild, 3–7 moderate, 8–11 severe, ≥ 12 impending respiratory failure.

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Sources

Croup: Diagnosis and Management (Am Fam Physician 97:575–580) – Table 2: Westley Croup Score Smith DK, McDermott AJ, Sullivan JF; American Academy of Family Physicians, 2018. Review article by a professional society (freely accessible, full text read)
Nebulized racemic epinephrine by IPPB for the treatment of croup: a double-blind study (Am J Dis Child 132:484–487) Westley CR, Cotton EK, Brooks JG, 1978. Original paper (not freely accessible – wording via AAFP-CROUP-2018)

Scientific basis last reviewed: September 2026.

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Note

Calculation aid for healthcare professionals. Percentiles and z-scores describe the position of a measured value in the reference population; clinical assessment remains with the treating physician.