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 classifications. The Mosteller formula is commonly used in the British National Formulary (BNF).

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 formula provides a simple yet accurate way to estimate body surface area from weight and height measurements.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is used to calculate drug dosages for chemotherapy, anticoagulants, and other medications where precise dosing is critical. It's also used in burn assessment and various physiological measurements.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Mosteller formula instead of others?
A: The Mosteller formula is simple, validated, and recommended by the British National Formulary (BNF) for drug dosing calculations.

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 significantly with body size.

Q3: When is BSA most important?
A: Particularly important for chemotherapy dosing, pediatric dosing, and medications with narrow therapeutic windows.

Q4: Are there limitations to BSA calculations?
A: May be less accurate in extremely obese or muscular individuals. Some medications use adjusted body weight for dosing.

Q5: Should this be used for all drug dosing?
A: No, only for drugs specifically dosed by BSA. Always follow prescribing guidelines for each medication.