Pediatric Echocardiography Z-score Calculator (PediEcho)
Z-score indicates how many standard deviations the measured echocardiographic parameter differs from the mean for healthy children with the same body surface area (BSA). In children, the sizes of the cardiac chambers and great vessels cannot be assessed using “adult” normal ranges — they are normalized to BSA and age. The calculator computes Z-scores for patients 0–18 years using several validated nomograms, automatically determines the patient mode (term, preterm, obesity), and calculates derived parameters (LV volumes, myocardial mass). Interpretation: normal — |Z| < 2; borderline — 2 ≤ |Z| < 3; abnormal — |Z| ≥ 3.
The calculator is intended for physicians and is for reference purposes. The results do not replace clinical assessment and specialist interpretation and do not constitute a diagnosis. Z-scores have been validated primarily in term children; in prematurity and obesity, interpretation is limited (see the warnings in the calculator itself). Check that BSA falls within the validated range of the selected source.
Sources
- Lopez L, et al. Pediatric Heart Network (PHN). Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2017 — chambers, vessels, coronary arteries.
- Cantinotti M, et al. 2017 — nomograms including neonates.
- Pettersen MD, et al. (Detroit). J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2008 — regression by BSA.
- Koestenberger M, et al. 2011 — TAPSE in preterm/term infants by gestational age.
- BSA — Haycock formula. Indexing of LV mass to height2.7 — Khoury 2009, de Simone 1995.