1. What is Body Surface Area (BSA)?

Body Surface Area (BSA) is the calculated surface area of the human body. It's an important measurement in medicine, particularly for determining medication dosages and medical indicators.

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 body surface area by taking the square root of the product of weight and height divided by 3600.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is used to calculate drug dosages for chemotherapy, cardiac index, and other medical parameters where body size affects outcomes.

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 the Mosteller formula?
A: The Mosteller formula is simple to calculate and has been validated against more complex methods, making it widely accepted in clinical practice.

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 instead of weight?
A: BSA is typically used for medications where distribution depends on surface area (like chemotherapy) rather than weight-based dosing.

Q4: Are there other BSA formulas?
A: Yes, other formulas include Du Bois, Haycock, and Gehan-George, but Mosteller is most commonly used due to its simplicity and accuracy.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The formula provides a good estimate for most individuals, but may be less accurate for extremely obese or very muscular individuals.