1. What is Body Surface Area (BSA)?

Body Surface Area (BSA) is the measured or calculated surface area of the human body. It's used in many medical contexts including drug dosage calculations and medical indicators.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Haycock formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: This formula provides a more accurate estimation of BSA across all ages and body sizes compared to some older formulas.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is used to calculate drug dosages for chemotherapy, cardiac index, and other medical parameters where weight alone would be an inaccurate metric.

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 Haycock formula instead of Du Bois?
A: The Haycock formula has been shown to be more accurate across all ages and body sizes, especially in children and obese patients.

Q2: What are typical BSA values?
A: Average BSA is about 1.7 m² for adult men and 1.6 m² for adult women. Neonates have about 0.25 m².

Q3: When is BSA most important?
A: BSA is crucial for chemotherapy dosing, burn assessment, and when adjusting cardiac measurements for body size.

Q4: Are there limitations to BSA calculations?
A: While useful, BSA doesn't account for body composition differences. Some drugs may require adjustment based on lean body mass.

Q5: How does this differ from Mosteller formula?
A: The Haycock formula is slightly more complex but provides better accuracy across diverse populations compared to the simpler Mosteller formula.