1. What is the Haycock BSA Formula?

The Haycock formula is one of several equations used to estimate body surface area (BSA) in pediatric patients. It provides a more accurate estimation for children than adult formulas like Du Bois.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Haycock formula:

Where:

• \( W \) — Weight in kilograms (kg)
• \( H \) — Height in centimeters (cm)
• \( BSA \) — Body surface area in square meters (m²)

Explanation: The formula accounts for the non-linear relationship between body dimensions and surface area, with different exponents for weight and height.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is used in pediatric medicine to calculate medication dosages, chemotherapy regimens, fluid requirements, and to normalize various physiological measurements.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Haycock instead of Du Bois for children?
A: The Haycock formula was specifically derived from pediatric measurements and provides better accuracy for children.

Q2: What are typical BSA values for children?
A: Newborns average 0.25 m², 1-year-olds about 0.5 m², 5-year-olds about 0.75 m², and adolescents approach adult values (1.6-1.9 m²).

Q3: When should BSA be used vs weight-based dosing?
A: BSA is preferred for chemotherapy, some antibiotics, and drugs with narrow therapeutic indices. Weight-based dosing is used for most other medications.

Q4: Are there limitations to this formula?
A: All BSA formulas are estimates. The Haycock formula may be less accurate for extremely premature infants or children with abnormal body proportions.

Q5: Should this be used for adult patients?
A: While it can be used for adults, the Du Bois formula is more commonly used for adult BSA calculations.