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. Mosteller Formula Explained

The Mosteller formula is one of the simplest and most commonly used equations for BSA calculation:

Where:

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

Advantages: The Mosteller formula is simple to calculate and remember, and has been validated in both pediatric and adult populations.

3. Clinical Importance of BSA

Medical Uses: BSA is used to calculate:

• Chemotherapy drug dosages
• Cardiac index calculations
• Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) adjustments
• Burn assessment (percentage of total BSA burned)

4. How to Use This Calculator

Instructions:

1. Enter weight in kilograms (1 kg = 2.2 lbs)
2. Enter height in centimeters (1 inch = 2.54 cm)
3. Click "Calculate" to get your BSA in square meters

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Mosteller instead of other BSA formulas?
A: Mosteller is simpler than Dubois and has been shown to be equally accurate in most clinical situations.

Q2: What's a normal BSA value?
A: Average BSA is about 1.7 m² for adult men and 1.6 m² for adult women, but varies with body size.

Q3: Can I use pounds and inches?
A: This calculator requires kg and cm. Convert pounds to kg (÷2.205) and inches to cm (×2.54).

Q4: How accurate is BSA calculation?
A: All BSA formulas are estimates. Actual body composition affects true surface area.

Q5: When is BSA not appropriate for dosing?
A: Some drugs are dosed by weight alone. Always follow specific medication guidelines.