1. What is a BSA Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates Body Surface Area (BSA) using the Mosteller formula based on weight and height measurements.

Purpose: It helps medical professionals determine medication doses that are based on body surface area rather than weight alone.

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 surface area of the human body which is often used for more accurate medication dosing than weight alone.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is used for calculating dosages for chemotherapy, immunosuppressants, and other drugs where body surface area provides better dosing accuracy than body weight alone.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use BSA instead of weight for dosing?
A: BSA correlates better with metabolic processes and drug distribution in many cases, especially for chemotherapy drugs.

Q2: What's the advantage of Mosteller formula?
A: It's simple, validated, and widely accepted in clinical practice with good accuracy.

Q3: When is BSA not appropriate for dosing?
A: For drugs where weight-based dosing is standard or for obese patients where adjustments may be needed.

Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides a good estimate but may need adjustment for extreme body types or pediatric patients.

Q5: Can I use pounds and inches?
A: The formula requires kg and cm. Convert pounds to kg (1 lb = 0.453592 kg) and inches to cm (1 in = 2.54 cm) first.