Several factors are used to determine the severity of a burn injury, including the patient's age, size and depth of burn, and the location of the burn. A "Rule of Nines" chart is used to determine the total body surface area (TBSA) that has been burned. The chart divides the body into sections that represent 9 percent of the body surface area. In determining the TBSA of children and infants the Lund-Browder chart is used. A separate chart is used because the surface area of the head and neck of children is larger and the limbs are smaller than adults.
Burns are classified by depth and they may be first, second or third degrees.
