American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Practice Exam

Which group has a burn fatality threshold at burns covering more than 20% of body area?

1. Healthy adults

2. Elderly and children

3. Teenagers

4. Adults over 60

The correct answer is: Elderly and children

The correct answer reflects that the elderly and children have a lower burn fatality threshold, particularly when burns cover more than 20% of the body area. This vulnerability is due to several factors inherent to these age groups. In the case of children, their skin is thinner and more delicate, which makes them more susceptible to severe injuries from burns. Additionally, children’s physiological responses to trauma, including burns, are generally less robust than those of adults, which increases their risk of complications and mortality from significant burn injuries. Elderly individuals often have diminished physiological reserves due to age-related health issues, making them more susceptible to the effects of burns. Their skin also becomes thinner and less elastic with age, further increasing the severity of burn injuries. Healthy adults typically have better overall health and physiological capacity to withstand significant injuries, potentially allowing them to survive with higher percentages of body surface area affected by burns. The same can be stated for teenagers, who, while still developing, generally have more resilience compared to the very young and the elderly. Recognizing the specific vulnerabilities of children and the elderly is essential in understanding the implications of burn injuries and the need for tailored medical attention and resources in these populations.