The Vesikari Score (often called the Ruuska–Vesikari clinical severity score) is a standardized tool used to grade the severity of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children, originally developed for rotavirus vaccine trials and widely used in clinical research and surveillance. Path+2OUP Academic+2

It summarizes illness severity across seven parameters that reflect symptom intensity and clinical impact:

• Maximum stools in 24 hours
• Duration of diarrhea (days)
• Maximum vomiting episodes in 24 hours
• Duration of vomiting (days)
• Maximum temperature
• Dehydration severity
• Treatment / disposition (rehydration, hospitalization) Path+1

Each parameter contributes points, producing a total score from 0 to 20 (higher = more severe). Path+1

Interpretation (classic Vesikari categories)

Common cutoffs used for triage/research interpretation are:

• < 7 = Mild
• 7–10 = Moderate
• ≥ 11 = Severe Path+2PMC+2

Important note: The Vesikari score supports severity stratification and communication, but it does not replace clinical judgment or local dehydration/shock pathways—especially in very young infants or children with comorbidities.