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

Definition: This calculator estimates a child's body surface area using the Haycock formula based on weight and height measurements.

Purpose: It helps medical professionals determine medication dosages, nutritional requirements, and assess growth in pediatric patients.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Haycock formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula provides an accurate estimation of BSA specifically for pediatric patients using exponential relationships between weight and height.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: Accurate BSA calculation is crucial for proper drug dosing, chemotherapy protocols, fluid management, and nutritional assessment in children.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the child's weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. Both values must be > 0. The result is displayed in square meters (m²).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Haycock formula instead of others?
A: The Haycock formula is specifically validated for pediatric populations and provides more accurate results for children than adult formulas.

Q2: What age range is this calculator appropriate for?
A: This calculator is suitable for children from birth through adolescence (0-18 years).

Q3: How accurate is the BSA calculation?
A: The Haycock formula has been shown to be accurate within ±5% when compared to direct measurements in pediatric populations.

Q4: Can I use pounds and inches instead?
A: The formula requires metric units. Convert pounds to kg (1 lb = 0.4536 kg) and inches to cm (1 inch = 2.54 cm) first.

Q5: When would a doctor use BSA calculations?
A: BSA is used for chemotherapy dosing, determining dialysis parameters, calculating nutritional needs, and adjusting medication doses for children.