1. What is Body Surface Area?

Body Surface Area (BSA) is the measured or 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 Mosteller formula is one of the simplest and most commonly used equations for BSA calculation, providing results comparable to more complex formulas.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is used to calculate drug dosages for chemotherapy, anticoagulants, and other medications where dose depends on body size. It's also used in burn cases to estimate the extent of injury.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. Both values must be positive numbers for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Mosteller formula instead of other BSA formulas?
A: The Mosteller formula is simple, easy to remember, and has been validated against more complex formulas. It's widely accepted in clinical practice.

Q2: What are typical BSA values?
A: Average BSA is about 1.7 m² for adult men and 1.6 m² for adult women. Children have smaller values that increase with age.

Q3: When is BSA most important?
A: BSA is crucial for chemotherapy dosing, pediatric drug dosing, and burn assessment. It's less important for most other medications.

Q4: Are there limitations to BSA calculations?
A: BSA doesn't account for body composition (fat vs. muscle). Obese patients may need adjusted dosing despite high BSA.

Q5: Should BSA be used for all drug dosing?
A: No, only for drugs specifically dosed by BSA. Most medications use weight-based or fixed dosing.