1. What is Body Surface Area (BSA)?

Body Surface Area (BSA) is the measured or calculated surface area of the human body. It's an important measurement in medicine, particularly for calculating drug dosages and medical indicators. The Haycock formula is specifically designed for pediatric patients.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Haycock formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula provides an accurate estimation of body surface area for children based on their weight and height measurements.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is used to calculate medical parameters like cardiac index, chemotherapy dosages, and glomerular filtration rate. It's more accurate than body weight alone for these purposes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. Both values must be greater than zero. For best accuracy, measurements should be recent and precise.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Haycock formula for children?
A: The Haycock formula was specifically derived from measurements of children and provides more accurate results for pediatric patients than adult formulas.

Q2: What is the normal BSA range for children?
A: BSA varies significantly with age and growth. Newborns average about 0.25 m², while a 10-year-old might be around 1.14 m².

Q3: When should BSA be calculated?
A: BSA should be calculated when precise medication dosing is required (like chemotherapy), for burn assessment, or when calculating certain physiological parameters.

Q4: Are there other BSA formulas?
A: Yes, other formulas include Mosteller, Du Bois, and Boyd formulas. Haycock is preferred for pediatric patients.

Q5: How often should BSA be recalculated for growing children?
A: For chronic treatments, BSA should be recalculated with each significant change in weight (>10%) or every 3-6 months for rapidly growing children.