1. What is Body Surface Area (BSA) Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates body surface area using Mosteller's formula based on weight and height.

Purpose: BSA is used in medical practice for drug dosage calculations, chemotherapy regimens, and physiological measurements.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses Mosteller's formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The product of weight and height is divided by 3600, then the square root is taken to obtain BSA in m².

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA provides a more accurate measure for medication dosing than body weight alone, especially for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Mosteller's formula?
A: It's simple to calculate and has been validated against more complex methods, making it widely accepted in clinical practice.

Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: Mosteller's formula is accurate to within 1-2% of more complex methods for most adults and children.

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 with body size.

Q5: When is BSA particularly important?
A: Critical for chemotherapy dosing, pediatric medications, and when adjusting for metabolic rate differences.