A 12-year-old with 12% TBSA 2nd-degree burns qualifies for Major/Critical burns criteria?

A 12-year-old with 12% TBSA 2nd-degree burns qualifies for Major/Critical burns criteria?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only if 3rd-degree present
• D. Only if >15% TBSA

Answer: (A)

In pediatric burn care, major/critical designation is driven by the extent of the burn (TBSA) rather than by depth alone. For children, burns that involve 10% or more of the total body surface area are considered major. A 12-year-old with 12% TBSA burns meets that threshold even though the burns are 2nd-degree, because the total area involved is sufficiently large to raise risk of fluid loss, infection, and complications, requiring more intensive care or transfer to a burn center. The options suggesting it’s not major or that the threshold is higher (e.g., 15%) don’t fit pediatric criteria, and depth alone (being 2nd-degree) does not negate the need for major-status when TBSA is above 10%.

In pediatric burn care, major/critical designation is driven by the extent of the burn (TBSA) rather than by depth alone. For children, burns that involve 10% or more of the total body surface area are considered major. A 12-year-old with 12% TBSA burns meets that threshold even though the burns are 2nd-degree, because the total area involved is sufficiently large to raise risk of fluid loss, infection, and complications, requiring more intensive care or transfer to a burn center. The options suggesting it’s not major or that the threshold is higher (e.g., 15%) don’t fit pediatric criteria, and depth alone (being 2nd-degree) does not negate the need for major-status when TBSA is above 10%.