Glossary Term

MELD

Model for End Stage Liver Disease Score

The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) is a numerical scale ranging from 6 (less ill) to 40 (gravely ill), used for liver transplant candidates age 12 and older. It gives each person a score (number) based on how urgently he or she needs a liver transplant within the next three months. Pediatric End Stage Liver Disease Model (PELD) is used for patients age 11 and younger (Alliance Terminology & Data Resources May 2021)

The scoring system used to measure illness severity in liver transplant candidates. This system is used in the allocation of livers to adults, established in February 2002. The MELD system uses three laboratory values (bilirubin, creatinine and INR) to calculate a score that is predictive of the risk of death within three months on the liver waiting list. Livers are allocated to waitlisted patients with chronic liver disease based upon this score. See Pediatric End Stage Liver Disease (PELD) Scoring System. (OPTN Glossary May 2021)

The scoring system used to measure illness severity in the allocation of livers to adults. (OPTN Policy Definitions May 2021)