Body Square Meter Calculator

Body Surface Area Formula (Mosteller):

\[ BSA = \sqrt{\frac{W \times H}{3600}} \]

Body Surface Area (m²):

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1. What is Body Surface Area (BSA)?

Definition: Body Surface Area is the total surface area of the human body, often used in medical calculations.

Purpose: BSA is used to calculate drug dosages, medical indicators, and for various physiological measurements.

2. How Does the Mosteller Formula Work?

The calculator uses the Mosteller formula:

\[ BSA = \sqrt{\frac{W \times H}{3600}} \]

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula calculates BSA by taking the square root of the product of weight and height divided by 3600.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA provides a more accurate measurement than body weight alone for many medical purposes, particularly for calculating medication dosages for chemotherapy and other drugs.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. Both values must be greater than 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use the Mosteller formula?
A: The Mosteller formula is simple to use and remember, and has been validated against more complex calculations.

Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The Mosteller formula is accurate to within 1-2% of more complex methods for most individuals.

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

Q4: What's a typical BSA for adults?
A: Average BSA is about 1.7 m² for adult men and 1.6 m² for adult women.

Q5: Are there other BSA formulas?
A: Yes, other formulas include Du Bois, Haycock, and Gehan-George, but Mosteller is most commonly used.