1. What is Halls MD BSA Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates Body Surface Area (BSA) using the Haycock formula for accurate medication dosing.

Purpose: It helps medical professionals determine appropriate drug dosages based on patient size rather than just weight.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Haycock formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula provides a more accurate measurement of metabolic mass than body weight alone.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is crucial for chemotherapy dosing, pediatric medications, and drugs with narrow therapeutic indices.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: How accurate is the Haycock formula?
A: It's one of the most accurate BSA formulas, especially for pediatric patients.

Q3: When would I use this calculator?
A: For chemotherapy, immunosuppressants, and other drugs dosed by BSA.

Q4: What's the typical BSA range?
A: Average adult BSA is 1.7-1.9 m², but varies by size (children may be 0.2-1.5 m²).

Q5: Are there other BSA formulas?
A: Yes, including Du Bois and Mosteller, but Haycock is preferred for many clinical applications.