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 helps healthcare professionals determine medication dosages, fluid requirements, and other clinical parameters.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Mosteller formula:

Where:

• \( \text{BSA} \) — 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 get BSA in m².

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA provides a more accurate measurement than body weight alone for many medical calculations, particularly for chemotherapy dosing and pediatric medicine.

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 is BSA important in medicine?
A: Many physiological processes correlate better with BSA than with body weight alone, making it crucial for accurate dosing.

Q2: What's the average BSA for adults?
A: The 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 Du Bois, Haycock, and Gehan-George formulas, but Mosteller is most commonly used.

Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides a good estimate but may not account for body composition variations in extreme cases.

Q5: When would I need to calculate BSA?
A: For chemotherapy dosing, renal function assessment, burn evaluation, and pediatric medication dosing.