1. What is Body Surface Area (BSA)?

Definition: BSA is the calculated surface area of a human body, often used in medical practice for drug dosing and medical indicators.

Purpose: It provides a more accurate measurement than body weight alone for many medical purposes, including chemotherapy dosing and fluid requirements.

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

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is crucial for accurate medication dosing, particularly for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows, and for assessing metabolic mass.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use BSA instead of weight alone?
A: BSA accounts for both height and weight, providing a better estimate of metabolic mass than weight alone.

Q2: What's a typical 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.

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

Q4: When is BSA particularly important?
A: Critical for chemotherapy dosing, pediatric medicine, and burn assessment.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The Mosteller formula is accurate to within 1-2% of more complex methods for most individuals.