1. What is Body Surface Area (BSA)?

Body Surface Area (BSA) is the calculated surface area of the human body. It's commonly used in medical practice to calculate drug dosages (especially chemotherapy) and medical indicators. The Mosteller formula is one of the most widely used methods for BSA calculation.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Mosteller formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula calculates BSA by taking the square root of the product of weight and height divided by 3600.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is crucial for determining appropriate medication dosages, particularly for chemotherapy drugs, where precise dosing is critical for both efficacy and safety.

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 BSA for chemotherapy dosing?
A: BSA correlates better with drug metabolism and clearance than body weight alone, leading to more accurate dosing.

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 by body size.

Q3: Are there other BSA formulas?
A: Yes, other formulas include Du Bois, Haycock, and Gehan-George, but Mosteller is most commonly used for its simplicity and accuracy.

Q4: When should BSA not be used for dosing?
A: For extremely obese or cachectic patients, alternative dosing methods may be more appropriate.

Q5: How precise should BSA calculations be?
A: Typically rounded to 2 decimal places (e.g., 1.73 m²) for clinical use.