1. What is the Du Bois Formula?

The Du Bois formula is the most widely used equation for calculating body surface area (BSA). It provides an estimate of the total surface area of the human body, which is important for various medical calculations including drug dosages and metabolic measurements.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Du Bois equation:

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.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is used in many medical contexts including chemotherapy dosing, calculating cardiac index, adjusting renal clearance measurements, and determining nutritional requirements.

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, measurements should be taken without shoes and with minimal clothing.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Du Bois instead of other BSA formulas?
A: The Du Bois formula is the most widely validated and remains the gold standard, though other formulas (like Mosteller) may be simpler to calculate.

Q2: What are typical BSA values?
A: Average BSA is about 1.7 m² for adult men and 1.6 m² for adult women. Neonates have about 0.25 m².

Q3: How accurate is the Du Bois formula?
A: It's generally accurate within 5-10% of actual measurements, though accuracy decreases at extremes of body size.

Q4: Should BSA be used for obese patients?
A: For obese patients, adjusted body weight or other modifications may be needed for certain calculations.

Q5: Are there limitations to this formula?
A: The formula was developed from measurements of only 9 subjects in 1916, though it has been extensively validated since.