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Paediatric FTU — SCE Dermatology MCQ

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EasyPaediatric DermatologyPaediatric FTUSCE Dermatology

A 35-year-old woman with psoriasis asks about the fingertip unit application for her child (age 4). She knows adult FTU = 0.5 g. Is the FTU the same in children?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: A — No — children's FTU is smaller (approximately 0.3 g for a 4-year-old) because their fingers are smaller; dosing charts adjusted for age are available

The fingertip unit is defined by the adult index finger — so when a parent applies treatment to a child, the parent's FTU should be used (not the child's smaller finger). However, the amount needed per body region is less in children because their body surface areas are smaller. BAD and dermatology guidelines provide age-adjusted FTU charts: for a 4-year-old, approximately 1 FTU covers one arm (vs 3 FTU for an adult arm). These paediatric FTU guides help parents apply adequate amounts of topical treatment. Under-dosing of topical corticosteroids due to 'steroid phobia' is a common cause of apparent treatment failure in children.

Reference: BAD Topical Therapy; Long & Finlay FTU