How To Calculate BSA

Mosteller Formula:

\[ BSA = \sqrt{\frac{W \times H}{3600}} \]

Body Surface Area (BSA):

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1. What is Body Surface Area (BSA)?

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.

2. How Does the Mosteller Formula Work?

The calculator uses the Mosteller formula:

\[ BSA = \sqrt{\frac{W \times H}{3600}} \]

Where:

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

Explanation: The Mosteller formula is simple to use and remember, and has been validated against more complex calculations.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

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

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. Both values must be greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Mosteller formula instead of others?
A: Mosteller is simple, accurate, and 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.

Q3: How does BSA change with age?
A: BSA increases during growth, peaks in late teens/early 20s, and may decrease slightly with age due to height loss.

Q4: When is BSA most important?
A: Critical for chemotherapy dosing, pediatric medicine, and burn assessment.

Q5: Are there limitations to BSA calculations?
A: May not account for body composition differences (muscle vs fat) and may overestimate in obese patients.