1. What is the DuBois Formula?

The DuBois formula is the most widely used equation for calculating body surface area (BSA) from height and weight. It was developed in 1916 and remains a standard in medical calculations for drug dosing, chemotherapy, and other clinical applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the DuBois formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula accounts for the non-linear relationship between body dimensions and surface area through exponential weighting of height and weight.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is crucial for determining drug dosages (especially chemotherapy), calculating cardiac index, adjusting renal clearance measurements, and assessing metabolic rate.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0). For best accuracy, measure height without shoes and weight with minimal clothing.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use DuBois formula instead of others?
A: DuBois is the most validated and widely accepted formula, though some alternatives exist (like Mosteller). DuBois is particularly accurate for adults.

Q2: What are typical BSA values?
A: Average BSA is about 1.7 m² for adult men and 1.6 m² for adult women. Normal range is approximately 1.4-2.2 m².

Q3: Can this be used for children?
A: While DuBois can be used for children, some pediatricians prefer formulas specifically developed for pediatric populations.

Q4: How accurate is the formula?
A: DuBois formula is generally accurate within ±5% of actual measurements for most adults, though accuracy decreases at extremes of body size.

Q5: When is BSA most important clinically?
A: BSA is especially critical for chemotherapy dosing, where many drugs have narrow therapeutic windows and toxicity is dose-dependent.