1. What is Body Surface Area (BSA)?

Body Surface Area (BSA) is the measured or calculated surface area of the human body. It's an important measurement in medicine, particularly for calculating drug dosages and medical indicators.

2. How Does the Haycock Formula Work?

The calculator uses the Haycock formula:

Where:

• \( W \) — Weight in kilograms (kg)
• \( H \) — Height in centimeters (cm)

Explanation: The Haycock formula provides a more accurate BSA estimation for both children and adults compared to some other formulas.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is used to calculate medical parameters like cardiac index, chemotherapy dosages, and glomerular filtration rate. 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 Haycock formula instead of Du Bois?
A: The Haycock formula has been shown to be more accurate across a wider range of body sizes, especially in pediatric populations.

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: When is BSA used in medicine?
A: Common uses include chemotherapy dosing, cardiac index calculation, and renal function assessment.

Q4: Are there limitations to BSA calculations?
A: BSA doesn't account for body composition differences. Obese patients may need adjusted calculations.

Q5: Should BSA be used for all drug dosing?
A: No, only for specific medications where BSA-based dosing has been clinically validated.