The Pediatric Trauma Score (PTS) is a rapid bedside triage tool used to estimate the severity of traumatic injury in children and help identify patients who may need higher-level trauma care. It was introduced by Tepas and colleagues (1987) as a pediatric-focused alternative to adult-oriented trauma scores. Société Française d’Anesthésie
PTS uses six clinical domains assessed early (prehospital or in the emergency department):
- Weight
- Airway
- Systolic blood pressure (SBP) (or palpable pulses if BP is hard to obtain)
- Mental status (CNS)
- Skeletal injury
- Open wounds Société Française d’Anesthésie+2PMC+2
Each domain is scored +2, +1, or −1, so the total score ranges from −6 to +12 (higher is generally better). Société Française d’Anesthésie
Interpreting the score
A commonly used triage threshold is:
- PTS ≤ 8 → suggests major trauma / higher risk, and many references recommend management/transfer in a designated pediatric trauma center when feasible. The Lancet+2PMC+2
PTS is most useful as a screening/triage aid, not a replacement for full clinical assessment, imaging decisions, or resuscitation protocols.
Pediatric Trauma Score (PTS) Calculator
Estimates trauma severity in children using six clinical domains. Use alongside immediate assessment and local trauma protocols.
Patient assessment
>20 kg = +2 • 10–20 kg = +1 • <10 kg = −1
Clinical note: A score supports triage; it does not replace ABCDE assessment, resuscitation priorities, clinical judgment, or local major-trauma pathways.
