1. What is a BSA Calculator for Medication?

Definition: This calculator estimates body surface area (BSA) using the Mosteller formula based on weight and height.

Purpose: It helps healthcare professionals determine appropriate medication dosages that are based on body surface area.

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 product of weight and height is divided by 3600, and the square root of this value gives the BSA in m².

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is more accurate than body weight alone for calculating medication dosages, particularly for chemotherapy, pediatric drugs, and other medications with narrow therapeutic windows.

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 weight for dosing?
A: BSA correlates better with metabolic processes and organ size than weight alone, especially for medications that distribute throughout body tissues.

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

Q3: Are there other BSA formulas?
A: Yes, including Du Bois, Haycock, and Gehan-George formulas, but Mosteller is most commonly used for its simplicity and accuracy.

Q4: When is BSA dosing important?
A: Particularly for chemotherapy, pediatric medications, and drugs with narrow therapeutic indices or significant toxicity risks.

Q5: How accurate is this calculator?
A: It provides a good estimate, but clinical judgment and patient-specific factors should always be considered in medication dosing.