MELD-Na Score

Model for End-Stage Liver Disease with Sodium. Predicts 3-month mortality and prioritizes liver transplant candidates.

mg/dL

Total serum bilirubin. Values <1.0 set to 1.0.

mg/dL

Serum creatinine. Values <1.0 set to 1.0. If dialysis twice in past week, set to 4.0.

International normalized ratio. Values <1.0 set to 1.0.

mEq/L

Serum sodium. Capped at 125-137 range.

Patient received dialysis at least twice in the prior week

References

  1. MELD 3.0: The Model for End-stage Liver Disease - PMC / Hepatology
  2. MELD Calculator - OPTN - HRSA / OPTN

Clinical Notes & Warnings

  • For patients age 12 and older. PELD used for <12 years.
  • Not for acute liver failure (Status 1 supersedes MELD).
  • Sodium capped at 125-137 range.
  • MELD 3.0 (with albumin and sex) now used in US since 2023-2024 updates.

UNOS adopted MELD-Na in 2016. MELD-Na only applied if MELD(i) >=12. Original MELD formula uses different coefficients: MELD = 0.957*ln(Cr) + 0.378*ln(Bili) + 1.120*ln(INR) + 0.643, then multiplied by 10.