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Mosteller Formula:
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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.
The Mosteller formula is one of the simplest and most commonly used methods to calculate BSA:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates BSA by taking the square root of the product of weight and height divided by 3600. It's simple to use and has been validated in both adult and pediatric populations.
Details: BSA is used in many medical applications including chemotherapy dosing, cardiac index calculations, renal function assessments, and burn surface area estimation. It's often considered a better indicator of metabolic mass than body weight alone.
Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. The calculator will compute BSA using the Mosteller formula. For accurate results, use precise measurements.
Q1: Why use Mosteller formula instead of others?
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 normal BSA values?
A: Average BSA is about 1.7 m² for adult men and 1.6 m² for adult women. Values vary with body size and age.
Q3: How accurate is the Mosteller formula?
A: It's accurate for most clinical purposes, though other formulas (Du Bois, Haycock) might be slightly more precise in certain populations.
Q4: Can I use pounds and inches?
A: This calculator uses kg and cm. To convert: 1 kg = 2.2 lbs, 1 inch = 2.54 cm.
Q5: When is BSA not appropriate for dosing?
A: Some medications are dosed by weight alone or require adjustment for obesity. Always follow specific medication guidelines.