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: BSA is used in medical practice for drug dosage calculations, physiological measurements, and clinical assessments.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Mosteller formula:

Where:

• \( \text{BSA} \) — 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 determining drug dosages, especially for chemotherapy, pediatric medications, and other critical treatments.

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 than weight alone.

Q2: What's the average BSA for adults?
A: Average BSA is about 1.7 m² for adult men and 1.6 m² for adult women.

Q3: Are there other BSA formulas?
A: Yes, including DuBois & DuBois, Haycock, and Boyd formulas, but Mosteller is most commonly used.

Q4: How accurate is the Mosteller formula?
A: It's accurate for most clinical purposes and simpler to calculate than other methods.

Q5: When is BSA particularly important?
A: Critical for chemotherapy dosing, pediatric medicine, and burn treatment calculations.