1. What is Body Surface Area (BSA)?

Definition: BSA is the calculated surface area of the human body, used in medical practice for drug dosage calculations and metabolic studies.

Purpose: It provides a more accurate measure than body weight alone for determining proper medication dosages and physiological measurements.

2. How Do the BSA Formulas Work?

The calculator uses two common formulas:

Where:

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

Explanation: The Mosteller formula is simpler and commonly used in clinical practice, while the DuBois formula was derived from direct measurements and is considered more accurate.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is crucial for determining chemotherapy dosages, calculating cardiac index, and assessing burn patients. It's more accurate than weight-based dosing for many medications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the patient's weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. Both values must be > 0. The calculator provides results from both formulas for comparison.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Which formula is more accurate?
A: The DuBois formula was derived from direct measurements, but Mosteller is simpler and often preferred in clinical practice.

Q2: Why are there different BSA formulas?
A: Different researchers developed formulas based on different measurement techniques and populations.

Q3: When should I use Mosteller vs DuBois?
A: Follow your institution's protocol. Mosteller is commonly used for chemotherapy dosing.

Q4: Can I use pounds and inches?
A: No, these formulas require metric units (kg and cm). Convert first if needed (1 kg = 2.2 lbs, 1 inch = 2.54 cm).

Q5: 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 with body size.