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

Definition: BSA is the calculated surface area of a human body, widely used in medical practice to adjust drug dosages and medical parameters.

Purpose: It provides a more accurate measurement than body weight alone for determining proper medication doses for children.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Haycock formula:

Where:

• \( \text{BSA} \) — Body surface area (square meters)
• \( W \) — Weight (kilograms)
• \( H \) — Height (centimeters)

Explanation: The formula accounts for the non-linear relationship between body dimensions and surface area.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: Accurate BSA calculation is crucial for proper dosing of chemotherapy, antibiotics, and other medications where toxicity is a concern.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Haycock formula for pediatric patients?
A: The Haycock formula was specifically developed for and validated in pediatric populations, providing more accurate results for children.

Q2: How does this differ from adult BSA calculations?
A: While similar formulas exist for adults, pediatric formulas account for different body proportions in growing children.

Q3: What's the typical BSA range for children?
A: Newborns: ~0.2 m²; 2-year-old: ~0.5 m²; 10-year-old: ~1.0 m²; but varies significantly with size.

Q4: When is BSA more important than weight for dosing?
A: For drugs with narrow therapeutic windows (chemotherapy, some antibiotics) or those that don't distribute evenly in body water/fat.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The Haycock formula is accurate to within 1-2% for most pediatric patients, but always consult a healthcare professional for medical decisions.