According to the Rule of Nines, in the pediatric population, the head and neck accounts for what percentage of BSA?

• A. 9%
• B. 14%
• C. 18%
• D. 1%

Answer: (C)

In children, the head makes up a larger share of body surface area than in adults, so the Rule of Nines assigns the head and neck 18% of the total BSA in the pediatric population. This reflects how the body proportions shift as children grow and gradually approach adult distribution.

So, the head and neck are 18% of BSA in kids, while other regions have different percentages (arms about 9% each, legs about 14% each, anterior and posterior trunk about 18% each, and the perineum about 1%). That’s why 18% is the correct figure for the pediatric head and neck. The other numbers correspond to adult head (9%), a leg (14%), or the perineal area (1%), which don’t match the pediatric distribution.