How is the total body surface area (TBSA) calculated for a child?

The total body surface area (TBSA) for a child is calculated using the Lund and Browder chart, which is specifically designed to provide accurate estimates of burn size in pediatric patients. This chart takes into account the differing body proportions of children compared to adults, ensuring a more precise assessment of the affected surface area.

The Lund and Browder chart is widely used because it adjusts for age and provides a more reliable estimate for burns that affect varying areas of a child's body. Children have larger heads relative to their body size and different limb proportions, which is why a generic estimation method would be insufficient in calculating TBSA accurately.

Other methods, such as visual inspection, might not yield consistent results, especially in the case of irregular or complex burn patterns. While the Baumann scale is not typically utilized for this purpose, the Glasgow Coma Scale is entirely unrelated, as it measures a patient's level of consciousness rather than burn area assessment. Thus, the Lund and Browder chart remains the correct choice for calculating TBSA in pediatric patients.