1. What is the Mosteller Formula?

The Mosteller formula is a simple and widely used method for calculating body surface area (BSA) from height and weight measurements. It provides a more accurate measure of metabolic mass than body weight alone.

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 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 used in many medical applications including chemotherapy dosing, calculating cardiac index, and determining appropriate drug dosages for medications with narrow therapeutic windows.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. Both values must be greater than zero for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Mosteller formula instead of other BSA formulas?
A: The Mosteller formula is simple, validated, and widely accepted in clinical practice. It provides results comparable to more complex formulas.

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 used in medicine?
A: BSA is used for chemotherapy dosing, calculating cardiac index, burn assessment (rule of nines), and some medication dosing.

Q4: Are there limitations to BSA calculations?
A: BSA doesn't account for body composition differences (muscle vs fat). Other methods may be better for obese or very muscular individuals.

Q5: How accurate is this formula for children?
A: The Mosteller formula works well for both children and adults, though some pediatric applications may use specialized formulas.