1. What is the Mosteller BSA Formula?

The Mosteller formula is a simple and widely used method to calculate body surface area (BSA) from height and weight. It provides a more accurate measure of metabolic mass than body weight alone, which is important for many medical applications.

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 takes the square root of the product of weight and height divided by 3600, providing BSA in square meters (m²).

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is used to calculate drug dosages for chemotherapy, assess cardiac index, determine renal clearance, and calculate burn surface area. It's a more accurate measure than body weight 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 Mosteller instead of other BSA formulas?
A: Mosteller is simple, validated, and widely accepted. It's as accurate as 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, but varies with body size.

Q3: When should BSA be used for drug dosing?
A: BSA-based dosing is common for chemotherapy, some antibiotics, and other drugs with narrow therapeutic windows.

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

Q5: How accurate is this formula for children?
A: Mosteller works well for all ages, though some pediatric specialties prefer specific formulas for very young children.