How are pediatric burns classified?

• A. By depth and total body surface area
• B. By color
• C. By age group
• D. By cause

Answer: (A)

Burns are classified by depth and total body surface area. Depth shows how many skin layers are damaged—from superficial (epidermis) to superficial partial-thickness (upper dermis) to deep partial-thickness (deeper dermis) and full-thickness (all skin layers and possibly underlying tissues). Total body surface area (TBSA) indicates how much of the body is burned and helps predict fluid loss, infection risk, and the need for specialized care or surgical intervention. In children, TBSA estimation uses age-appropriate charts (like Lund and Browder) because kids have different body proportions than adults, making accurate assessment essential. Color or appearance alone isn’t how we classify severity, and while age and cause influence management, they don’t define the burn’s classification. This approach directly guides treatment decisions, including fluid resuscitation, wound care, and potential grafting.