1. What is the DuBois and DuBois Formula?

The DuBois and DuBois formula is one of the most widely used equations for calculating body surface area (BSA). It was published in 1916 and remains a standard reference for BSA estimation in clinical practice.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the DuBois formula:

Where:

• \( W \) — Weight in kilograms (kg)
• \( H \) — Height in centimeters (cm)
• \( BSA \) — Body surface area in square meters (m²)

Explanation: The formula estimates total body surface area based on weight and height, which is important for many medical calculations.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is used to calculate drug dosages (especially chemotherapy), cardiac index, renal clearance, and to normalize physiological measurements. It provides a better indicator of metabolic mass than body weight alone.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. Both values must be greater than zero for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use DuBois formula instead of others?
A: The DuBois formula is the most validated and widely accepted BSA calculation, though other formulas exist (Mosteller, Haycock, etc.).

Q2: What are typical BSA values?
A: Average BSA is about 1.7 m² for adult men and 1.6 m² for adult women. Children have smaller values that increase with growth.

Q3: How accurate is the DuBois formula?
A: It's generally accurate within 5-10% of actual measurements, though accuracy decreases at extremes of body size.

Q4: Are there limitations to this formula?
A: It may be less accurate for obese patients, very muscular individuals, and certain ethnic groups.

Q5: When is BSA most important clinically?
A: Critical for chemotherapy dosing, burn assessment, and when adjusting medications that have narrow therapeutic windows.