1. What is Body Surface Area (BSA)?

Definition: BSA is the calculated surface area of the human body, often used in medical practice for drug dosing and physiological measurements.

Purpose: It provides a more accurate measurement than body weight alone for determining medication dosages, especially for chemotherapy and other critical drugs.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Mosteller formula:

Where:

• \( BSA \) — Body Surface Area (square meters)
• \( W \) — Weight (kilograms)
• \( H \) — Height (centimeters)

Explanation: The formula calculates the square root of the product of weight and height divided by 3600.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: Accurate BSA calculation is crucial for proper drug dosing, especially for medications with narrow therapeutic windows or significant toxicity.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the patient's weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. Both values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use BSA instead of body weight for dosing?
A: BSA correlates better with metabolic processes and drug distribution than weight alone, especially for medications that affect the whole body.

Q2: What's the Mosteller formula?
A: It's a simple, validated method for BSA calculation that's widely used in clinical practice.

Q3: Are there other BSA formulas?
A: Yes, including DuBois & DuBois, Haycock, and Boyd formulas, but Mosteller is most common due to its simplicity and accuracy.

Q4: When is BSA calculation most important?
A: Critical for chemotherapy, pediatric dosing, and medications with narrow therapeutic ranges.

Q5: How accurate is this calculator?
A: It provides clinically acceptable estimates, but always consult a healthcare professional for medical decisions.