1. What is Body Surface Area (BSA)?

Body Surface Area (BSA) is the calculated surface area of the human body. It is a more accurate indicator of metabolic mass than body weight since it is less affected by abnormal adipose mass. BSA is used in many medical contexts including chemotherapy dosing and burn assessment.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Mosteller formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The Mosteller formula is simple to calculate and remember, and is widely used in clinical practice. It provides results comparable to more complex formulas.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is used for:

• Chemotherapy drug dosing
• Calculating cardiac index
• Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) calculations
• Burn assessment (percentage of total body surface area burned)
• Adjusting parameters in mechanical ventilation

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, measure height without shoes and weight with minimal clothing.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Mosteller formula instead of others?
A: The Mosteller formula is simple, easy to remember, and shows good agreement with more complex formulas like DuBois and Haycock.

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

Q3: How accurate is this calculator?
A: The calculator provides a good estimate for most clinical purposes, but may be less accurate for extremely obese or very tall/short individuals.

Q4: Can I use pounds and inches?
A: This calculator uses metric units (kg and cm). 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 drug dosing?
A: Some drugs are dosed by weight or adjusted based on other factors. Always follow specific dosing guidelines for each medication.