1. What is Body Surface Area (BSA)?

Definition: BSA is the calculated surface area of the human body, often used in medical calculations.

Purpose: It's used to calculate drug dosages, medical assessments, and physiological measurements.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the DuBois formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula estimates body surface area based on weight and height using exponential relationships.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: Accurate BSA calculations are crucial for proper drug dosing, chemotherapy regimens, and other medical treatments.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use BSA instead of body weight for dosing?
A: BSA correlates better with metabolic processes and drug distribution than body weight alone.

Q2: What's the average BSA for adults?
A: Average BSA is about 1.7 m² for adult men and 1.6 m² for adult women.

Q3: Are there alternative BSA formulas?
A: Yes, other formulas include Mosteller, Haycock, and Gehan-George methods.

Q4: How accurate is the DuBois formula?
A: It's accurate for most adults but may be less precise for extreme body types and children.

Q5: 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).