1. What is Body Surface Area (BSA) Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates body surface area using the Mosteller formula, which is commonly used for chemotherapy dosing and other medical applications.

Purpose: It helps medical professionals determine appropriate medication dosages that are based on body surface area rather than just weight.

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, and then the square root is taken to calculate the body surface area.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA provides a more accurate metric than body weight alone for determining chemotherapy doses, as it better represents metabolic mass.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the patient's 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 chemotherapy?
A: BSA correlates better with metabolic processes and drug clearance than weight alone, leading to more accurate dosing.

Q2: What's the advantage of Mosteller formula?
A: It's simple to calculate and has been validated against more complex methods, making it widely used in clinical practice.

Q3: When would I need to calculate BSA?
A: Primarily for chemotherapy dosing, but also for other medications where dose is based on BSA, and for calculating cardiac index.

Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The Mosteller formula is accurate for most adults and children, though other methods might be preferred for extreme body types.

Q5: Can I use pounds and inches?
A: The formula requires metric units (kg and cm). Convert pounds to kg (1 lb = 0.453592 kg) and inches to cm (1 in = 2.54 cm) first.