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 that are based on body size rather than just weight.

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 provides a simple yet accurate method for calculating BSA using just height and weight measurements.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is used in many medical applications including chemotherapy dosing, calculating cardiac index, and determining renal clearance. It's considered more accurate than body weight alone for many medical purposes.

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 others?
A: The Mosteller formula is simple to calculate and has been validated against more complex methods. 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, but varies with body size.

Q3: When is BSA used in medicine?
A: Common uses include chemotherapy dosing, cardiac index calculation, and adjusting drug dosages for pediatric patients.

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

Q5: Can I use pounds and inches?
A: The calculator requires kg and cm. Convert pounds to kg (1 lb = 0.453592 kg) and inches to cm (1 inch = 2.54 cm) first.