1. What is Body Surface Area (BSA)?

Definition: BSA is the calculated surface area of the human body, often used in medical dosages and physiological measurements.

Purpose: It helps healthcare professionals determine appropriate medication doses, chemotherapy regimens, and for various medical calculations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Mosteller 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: Accurate BSA calculation is crucial for proper drug dosing, especially for chemotherapy, pediatric medications, and other critical treatments.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Mosteller formula?
A: It's simple, validated, and widely accepted in clinical practice, providing results comparable to more complex formulas.

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

Q4: How accurate is this calculator?
A: It provides clinically acceptable estimates but should not replace professional medical judgment.

Q5: Can I use pounds and inches?
A: This calculator uses metric units. Convert pounds to kg (1 lb = 0.4536 kg) and inches to cm (1 in = 2.54 cm) first.