🔥 Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI)
Estimate burn severity and survival with the Abbreviated Burn Severity Index.
Clinical takeaway
ABSI ≥ 6 warrants burn-center referral.
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When to use
Prognosticate and guide burn-center referral after major burns.
How it works
ABSI = sex (female 1) + age band (1–5) + inhalation injury (1) + full-thickness burn (1) + %TBSA band (1–10). Higher = lower survival.
Key points
- ABSI ≥ 6 warrants burn-center referral.
- Survival figures are historical estimates.
- %TBSA can be estimated with the rule of nines.
References
Decision support for licensed clinicians only; not a substitute for clinical judgement, diagnosis or local protocols.
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| Sex | Male (0) |
|---|---|
| Age | 0–20 y (1) |
| Inhalation injury | No (0) |
| Full-thickness (3rd degree) burn | No (0) |
| Burn area %TBSA | 1–10% (1) |
→ABSI2
- Severity：2 → Very mild (estimated survival ≈ 99%)
- Referral：ABSI ≥ 6, high-voltage electrical burns, major associated injuries, or full-thickness burns of face/axilla/joints/hands/feet/perineum → consider a burn center
- Note：%TBSA may be estimated with the rule of nines (second-degree and deeper only). Survival figures are historical estimates; modern critical and burn care improve outcomes
| Sex | Female (1) |
|---|---|
| Age | 81–100 (5) |
| Inhalation injury | Yes (1) |
| Full-thickness (3rd degree) burn | Yes (1) |
| Burn area %TBSA | 91–100 (10) |
→ABSI18
- Severity：18 → Maximal (estimated survival ≤ 10%)
- Referral：ABSI ≥ 6, high-voltage electrical burns, major associated injuries, or full-thickness burns of face/axilla/joints/hands/feet/perineum → consider a burn center
- Note：%TBSA may be estimated with the rule of nines (second-degree and deeper only). Survival figures are historical estimates; modern critical and burn care improve outcomes
Frequently asked questions
- What is Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI)?
- Estimate burn severity and survival with the Abbreviated Burn Severity Index.
- How is Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI) calculated? What is the core formula?
- ABSI = sex (female 1) + age band (1–5) + inhalation injury (1) + full-thickness burn (1) + %TBSA band (1–10). Higher = lower survival.
- When is Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI) used?
- Prognosticate and guide burn-center referral after major burns.
- What are the key clinical points for Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI)?
- ABSI ≥ 6 warrants burn-center referral. Survival figures are historical estimates. %TBSA can be estimated with the rule of nines.
- What are the limits and cautions when using Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI)?
- For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
- How is Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI) calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: Sex Male (0), Age 0–20 y (1), Inhalation injury No (0), Full-thickness (3rd degree) burn No (0), Burn area %TBSA 1–10% (1) → Result: ABSI 2（Severity: 2 → Very mild (estimated survival ≈ 99%), Referral: ABSI ≥ 6, high-voltage electrical burns, major associated injuries, or full-thickness burns of face/axilla/joints/hands/feet/perineum → consider a burn center, Note: %TBSA may be estimated with the rule of nines (second-degree and deeper only). Survival figures are historical estimates; modern critical and burn care improve outcomes） Inputs: Sex Female (1), Age 81–100 (5), Inhalation injury Yes (1), Full-thickness (3rd degree) burn Yes (1), Burn area %TBSA 91–100 (10) → Result: ABSI 18（Severity: 18 → Maximal (estimated survival ≤ 10%), Referral: ABSI ≥ 6, high-voltage electrical burns, major associated injuries, or full-thickness burns of face/axilla/joints/hands/feet/perineum → consider a burn center, Note: %TBSA may be estimated with the rule of nines (second-degree and deeper only). Survival figures are historical estimates; modern critical and burn care improve outcomes）