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 dosage calculations and physiological measurements.

Purpose: It provides a more accurate metric than body weight alone for determining medication dosages, chemotherapy regimens, and other medical treatments.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Haycock formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: This formula provides an estimate of total body surface area based on the exponential relationship between weight and height.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: Accurate BSA calculation is crucial for proper dosing of medications, especially chemotherapy drugs, where toxicity is a major concern.

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 Haycock formula instead of others?
A: The Haycock formula is considered more accurate across all age groups and body sizes compared to older formulas like Du Bois.

Q2: How accurate is BSA calculation?
A: While useful, BSA is still an estimate. Clinical judgment should always accompany calculations.

Q3: Can I use pounds and inches?
A: This calculator requires metric units. Convert pounds to kg (1 lb = 0.453592 kg) and inches to cm (1 in = 2.54 cm).

Q4: What's a normal BSA range?
A: Average BSA is about 1.7 m² for adult men and 1.6 m² for adult women, but varies significantly with body size.

Q5: When is BSA not appropriate for dosing?
A: Some medications are dosed by weight alone. Always follow specific drug guidelines.