FISDAP Obstetrics and Pediatrics Practice Test 2026 – Full Exam Prep

For estimating the percentage of body surface area affected by burns in a toddler, healthcare providers often use the Lund and Browder chart or the "Rule of Nines" as standard assessment tools. In young children, the proportion of body surface area attributed to different regions can differ from adults due to their body proportions.

In toddlers, the head is comparatively larger, and the legs are smaller proportionally than in older children or adults. Generally, for a toddler, the front and back of the head constitute approximately 18% of the total body surface area, while the front and back of each arm contribute about 9% and each leg about 14%.

For partial thickness burns from boiling water, a commonly accepted approximation for a scald burn in a toddler can result in significant areas being affected due to the extensive nature of the injury from hot liquids. In this case, the assessment would suggest that burns to the torso, arms, and legs can easily account for the estimation of 32% of the body surface area affected. Therefore, the figure of 32% likely reflects a more comprehensive map of how burns are distributed across a toddler's body given the specifics of the injury scenario presented in the question.

It's important to emphasize that burn assessments require