MELD Score Calculator
Calculate the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score used for liver transplant prioritization. MELD uses bilirubin, INR, and creatinine. MELD-Na adds sodium. Scores range 6-40 with higher scores indicating greater 90-day mortality.
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⚠️For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before acting on results.
MELD (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease) predicts 90-day mortality and prioritizes liver transplant candidates. UNOS uses MELD-Na for allocation. Uses bilirubin, INR, creatinine, and sodium. Scores range 6-40; higher indicates greater 90-day mortality without transplant.
Sources: UNOS, OPTN, AASLD guidelines.
Key Takeaways
- • MELD-Na 6-40; higher = sicker = higher transplant priority
- • UNOS uses MELD-Na for deceased donor allocation
- • 90-day mortality rises with score: <10 ~2%, 30-39 ~53%, 40+ ~71%
- • HCC and other conditions may receive exception points
Did You Know?
How Does MELD Work?
Creatinine
Kidney function. Elevated in hepatorenal syndrome. Dialysis = 4 (max).
Bilirubin
Liver excretory function. Rises with cholestasis and hepatocellular failure.
INR & Sodium
INR reflects synthetic function. Low sodium (hyponatremia) worsens prognosis; MELD-Na adjusts for it.
Expert Tips
MELD Score Categories
| MELD Range | 90-Day Mortality | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| 0-9 | 1.9% | Low Priority |
| 10-19 | 6% | Moderate Priority |
| 20-29 | 19.6% | High Priority |
| 30-39 | 52.6% | Urgent Priority |
| 40-100 | 71.3% | Most Urgent |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MELD score?
Model for End-Stage Liver Disease. Predicts 90-day mortality in liver disease. Used by UNOS for transplant allocation. Range 6-40. Higher scores indicate greater severity and priority.
What is MELD-Na?
MELD with sodium adjustment. Added in 2016. Low sodium worsens prognosis. UNOS uses MELD-Na for allocation. Better predicts mortality than MELD alone.
When is transplant indicated?
MELD-Na ≥15 typically. Higher scores get priority. Most deceased donor transplants occur at MELD 20-35. HCC and other conditions may receive exception points.
What affects MELD?
Creatinine, bilirubin, INR, and sodium. Dialysis sets creatinine to 4. Each lab reflects liver/kidney function. All are objective—no subjective grading.
How often is MELD recalculated?
UNOS requires: every 7 days for MELD ≥25, every 14 days for 19-24, every 30 days for 11-18, every 90 days for ≤10. More frequent if clinically indicated.
Can MELD replace clinical judgment?
No. MELD guides allocation but does not capture acute liver failure, HCC, or hepatopulmonary syndrome well. Exception points address some gaps. Always interpret with full clinical picture.
Key Statistics
Official Data Sources
⚠️ Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. MELD scores are used by UNOS for allocation. Actual wait times vary by region and blood type. All transplant decisions require a hepatology transplant team.