1. What is the Mosteller BSA Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates body surface area (BSA) using the Mosteller formula, which is widely used in medical practice.

Purpose: BSA is important for determining medication dosages, chemotherapy regimens, and other medical calculations where body size matters more than weight alone.

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 formula calculates BSA as the square root of the product of weight and height divided by 3600.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA provides a more accurate measure of metabolic mass than body weight alone, as it accounts for both height and weight.

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 Mosteller formula instead of others?
A: The Mosteller formula is simple, validated, and widely accepted in clinical practice.

Q2: How accurate is the Mosteller formula?
A: It's accurate for most clinical purposes, though other formulas might be preferred for extremes of body size.

Q3: When is BSA used in medicine?
A: BSA is used for chemotherapy dosing, pediatric drug calculations, and determining fluid requirements.

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 with body size.

Q5: Can I use pounds and inches?
A: This calculator requires kg and cm. Convert pounds to kg (1 lb = 0.4536 kg) and inches to cm (1 in = 2.54 cm).