1. What is the Mosteller BSA Formula?

The Mosteller formula is a simple method to calculate body surface area (BSA) from height and weight. It's widely used in chemotherapy dosing to determine appropriate drug amounts based on body size.

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 an estimate of the body's total surface area.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is crucial in chemotherapy dosing as it helps determine the appropriate drug dosage that balances effectiveness with minimizing toxicity. Many chemotherapy drugs are dosed per m² of body surface area.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. Both values must be positive numbers. For accurate results, use recent measurements.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use BSA for chemotherapy dosing?
A: BSA correlates with metabolic rate and organ size better than weight alone, making it a more accurate predictor of drug distribution and clearance.

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: Are there other BSA formulas?
A: Yes, other formulas include DuBois & DuBois, Haycock, and Boyd, but Mosteller is simplest and equally accurate for clinical use.

Q4: When should BSA be recalculated?
A: Recalculate after significant weight changes (>10% body weight) or for pediatric patients undergoing growth spurts.

Q5: Are there limitations to BSA dosing?
A: Yes, some drugs may require adjustments based on other factors like renal function, body composition, or specific patient characteristics.