Background: Compared with guidelines for the quantity of topical corticosteroids to apply in adults, standards for the use of topical corticosteroids in children are not well described.
Objective: To devise simple-to-use guidelines for topical corticosteroid quantities needed in infants, children, pre-teens, and adults.
Methods: We determined body surface area (BSA) using mean heights and weights in order to calculate the appropriate quantities of medication to be prescribed.
Results: As a rough estimate, infants require one-fifth of adult doses, children two-fifths of adult doses, and adolescents two-thirds of adult doses. However, the assessment of BSA may vary considerably between clinicians. Patients may also vary in how thickly they apply topical medication.
Conclusions: A simple guideline for how much topical corticosteroid to prescribe may facilitate the treatment of young children with skin disease.