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 that are based on body size rather than just weight.

2. How Does the Mosteller Formula Work?

The calculator uses the Mosteller formula:

Where:

• \( W \) — Weight in kilograms (kg)
• \( H \) — Height in centimeters (cm)
• 3600 — Conversion factor to get result in square meters (m²)

Explanation: The Mosteller formula is a simple yet accurate method for calculating BSA that's widely used in clinical practice. It's considered one of the most reliable equations for BSA estimation.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is used to calculate drug dosages (especially chemotherapy), cardiac index, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and other physiological measurements that need to be normalized to body size.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. Both values must be greater than zero. For accurate results, use precise measurements.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Mosteller formula instead of others?
A: The Mosteller formula is simple, validated, and widely accepted. It's as accurate as more complex formulas and easier to calculate.

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 significantly with body size.

Q3: When is BSA used in medicine?
A: Commonly used for chemotherapy dosing, calculating cardiac index, renal clearance, and other size-dependent parameters.

Q4: Are there limitations to BSA calculations?
A: BSA doesn't account for body composition. Obese patients may need adjusted dosing as fat distribution affects drug pharmacokinetics.

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