1. What is Body Surface Area (BSA)?

Definition: BSA is the calculated surface area of a human body, often used in medical practice for medication dosing and other clinical calculations.

Purpose: The Mosteller formula provides a simple way to estimate BSA using just weight and height measurements.

2. How Does the Mosteller Formula Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

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

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

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is used for determining medication dosages, chemotherapy regimens, and for various physiological measurements.

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 is BSA important in medicine?
A: Many medications, especially chemotherapy drugs, are dosed according to BSA rather than weight alone.

Q2: How accurate is the Mosteller formula?
A: It's one of the most widely used and validated BSA formulas, with good accuracy for most clinical purposes.

Q3: Are there other BSA formulas?
A: Yes, including DuBois & DuBois, Haycock, and Boyd formulas, but Mosteller is simplest and most commonly used.

Q4: What units should I use?
A: Weight must be in kilograms and height in centimeters for this formula.

Q5: Can this be used for children?
A: Yes, the Mosteller formula is appropriate for both adults and children.