WHO bleeding scale
Haematology
Also known as: WHO-Blutungsskala · WHO-Blutungsgrade · DSÖ kanama skalası · WHO bleeding scale (grades 0–4)
What it is for
World Health Organization (WHO) scale for the severity of bleeding, mainly used in thrombocytopenia (e.g. chemotherapy-induced, immune thrombocytopenia) and in platelet transfusion research.
Classification
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Grade 0 | no bleeding. |
| Grade 1 | petechiae (petechial bleeding). |
| Grade 2 | mild blood loss (clinically significant). |
| Grade 3 | gross blood loss (requiring transfusion). |
| Grade 4 | debilitating blood loss (potentially fatal). |
| Note | study-specific modified versions define the grades by site, e.g. need for red cell transfusion or haemodynamic compromise; check which version a report uses. |
Source
Reporting results of cancer treatment
Cancer 1981;47:207–214 (Miller AB et al.)
DOI: 10.1002/1097-0142(19810101)47:1<207::aid-cncr2820470134>3.0.co;2-6
PMID: 7459811
- Edition
- WHO toxicity criteria, Miller et al. 1981 (haemorrhage item); many trials use modified, organ-specific versions
- Checked on
Summary of the published classification in our own words. Not a substitute for the original publication.
A question about this classification?
Medelix answers clinical questions from guidelines and studies – every statement with its source.