1. What is the Mosteller BSA Equation?

The Mosteller formula is a simple and widely used method to calculate body surface area (BSA) from height and weight. It provides an estimate of the total surface area of the human body.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Mosteller equation:

Where:

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

Explanation: The equation calculates the square root of the product of weight and height divided by 3600, providing a reliable estimate of body surface area.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is used in many medical applications including chemotherapy dosing, calculating cardiac index, and determining appropriate drug dosages. It's more accurate than body weight alone for these purposes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Mosteller instead of other BSA formulas?
A: The Mosteller formula is simple, validated, and widely accepted in clinical practice. It's as accurate as more complex formulas.

Q2: What are typical BSA values?
A: Average BSA is about 1.7 m² for adult men and 1.6 m² for adult women. Normal range is approximately 1.4-2.2 m².

Q3: When should BSA be used vs BMI?
A: BSA is better for drug dosing and physiological measurements, while BMI is better for assessing body fat and obesity.

Q4: Are there limitations to this equation?
A: Like all BSA formulas, it's less accurate at extremes of body size and in pediatric populations.

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