1. What Is BSA Calculated Using Mosteller Formula?

Definition: The Mosteller formula calculates Body Surface Area (BSA) based on a person's weight and height.

Purpose: BSA is used in medical practice for drug dosage calculations, chemotherapy regimens, and physiological measurements.

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 formula calculates BSA as the square root of the product of weight and height divided by 3600.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA provides a more accurate measure of metabolic mass than body weight alone, as it accounts for both size and shape of the body.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the patient's 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: BSA is used to calculate drug dosages, particularly for chemotherapy, where toxicity is related to body size.

Q2: How accurate is the Mosteller formula?
A: It's one of the most widely used and validated BSA formulas, with good accuracy for most clinical purposes.

Q3: Are there other BSA formulas?
A: Yes, including DuBois & DuBois, Haycock, and Boyd formulas, but Mosteller is simplest and most commonly used.

Q4: What's the average BSA for adults?
A: About 1.7 m² for adult men and 1.6 m² for adult women, but varies significantly with body size.

Q5: Can this be used for children?
A: Yes, the Mosteller formula is appropriate for all ages from infants to adults.