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.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Haycock formula:

Where:

• \( W \) — Weight in kilograms (kg)
• \( H \) — Height in centimeters (cm)

Explanation: The Haycock formula is one of several methods to estimate BSA and is considered accurate for both children and adults.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is used to calculate medical parameters like cardiac index and chemotherapy dosages, and to assess burn victims.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Haycock formula instead of others?
A: The Haycock formula has been validated in both children and adults and shows good accuracy across different populations.

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 with body size.

Q3: When should BSA be used for drug dosing?
A: BSA-based dosing is common for chemotherapy, some antibiotics, and other drugs with narrow therapeutic windows.

Q4: Are there limitations to BSA calculations?
A: BSA doesn't account for body composition and may not be ideal for obese or extremely muscular individuals.

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