1. What is Body Surface Area (BSA)?

Body Surface Area (BSA) is the measured or calculated surface area of the human body. It is used in many medical tasks including medication dosages and medical classifications. The Mosteller formula is one of several methods to calculate BSA.

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 provides a simple way to estimate body surface area based on weight and height measurements.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is used to calculate drug dosages for many medications, particularly chemotherapy drugs. It's also used in burn cases to estimate fluid requirements and in cardiac index calculations.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Mosteller formula instead of others?
A: The Mosteller formula is simple to calculate and has been validated in multiple studies. It's widely accepted in clinical practice.

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

Q3: How accurate is BSA calculation?
A: BSA formulas provide estimates. For critical applications, more precise methods may be needed.

Q4: Can I use pounds and inches?
A: This calculator uses metric units. Convert pounds to kg (1 lb = 0.453592 kg) and inches to cm (1 in = 2.54 cm) first.

Q5: When is BSA not appropriate for dosing?
A: Some medications use weight-based dosing instead, particularly in pediatrics or for drugs with narrow therapeutic indices.