1. What is the Haycock Formula?

The Haycock formula is a widely used equation for estimating body surface area (BSA) in children. It's particularly useful for pediatric medication dosing and clinical assessments where body surface area is more relevant than body weight alone.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Haycock 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 weight, height and body surface area in children.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is crucial for accurate medication dosing in children, chemotherapy protocols, fluid management, and nutritional assessments. It provides a better index of metabolic mass than body weight alone.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. For accurate results, use recent measurements as children grow rapidly.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Haycock instead of other BSA formulas?
A: The Haycock formula was specifically developed for and validated in pediatric populations, making it more accurate for children than adult formulas like Du Bois.

Q2: What are normal BSA values for children?
A: BSA varies with age and growth. Newborns average about 0.25 m², increasing to about 1.0 m² by age 5 and 1.5 m² by age 12.

Q3: When is BSA most important in pediatrics?
A: Critical for chemotherapy dosing, burn management, and when using medications with narrow therapeutic windows.

Q4: Are there limitations to this formula?
A: May be less accurate in extremely premature infants or children with abnormal body proportions (e.g., severe edema or amputations).

Q5: Should this be used for all pediatric medication dosing?
A: Only when specifically indicated. Many medications are dosed by weight or age in children.