1. What is Body Surface Area (BSA)?

Definition: BSA is the measured or calculated surface area of the human body, used in many medical measurements including medication dosages.

Purpose: The Mosteller formula provides a simple way to estimate BSA based on weight and height.

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 to calculate medical indices, drug dosages, and for determining treatment protocols in chemotherapy and other therapies.

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 instead of others?
A: The Mosteller formula is simple to use and remember, and has been validated against more complex methods.

Q2: What's a typical BSA range?
A: Average BSA is about 1.7 m² for adult men and 1.6 m² for adult women.

Q3: 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) first.

Q4: How accurate is the Mosteller formula?
A: It's generally accurate within 1-2% of more complex calculations for most individuals.

Q5: When is BSA particularly important?
A: For chemotherapy dosing, pediatric medicine, and burn treatment where body size significantly affects drug distribution.