1. What is the Mosteller BSA Formula?

The Mosteller formula is a simple and widely used method for calculating body surface area (BSA) from height and weight. It's commonly used in chemotherapy dosing and other medical applications where body surface area is important for determining appropriate medication dosages.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Mosteller formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula 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 crucial for determining appropriate dosages for chemotherapy drugs, as many cytotoxic agents are dosed based on body surface area rather than weight alone. It provides a better estimate of metabolic mass than body weight alone.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0). For best results, use accurate measurements.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use BSA for chemotherapy dosing?
A: BSA correlates better with drug metabolism and clearance than body weight alone, leading to more accurate dosing of cytotoxic drugs.

Q2: What are typical BSA values?
A: Average BSA is about 1.7 m² for adult men and 1.6 m² for adult women, but varies significantly with body size.

Q3: How accurate is the Mosteller formula?
A: Mosteller is accurate for most clinical purposes and is simpler than other formulas (like DuBois or Haycock).

Q4: When should I use actual body weight vs ideal body weight?
A: For obese patients, some protocols use adjusted body weight. Follow institutional guidelines for specific chemotherapy regimens.

Q5: Are there limitations to BSA dosing?
A: Yes, BSA doesn't account for body composition variations and may not be ideal for all drugs. Some newer agents use fixed dosing.