How To Calculate BSA For Burns

Mosteller Formula:

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

Body Surface Area (BSA):

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1. What is the Mosteller Formula?

The Mosteller formula is a simple method to calculate body surface area (BSA) from weight and height. It's commonly used in burn assessment, chemotherapy dosing, and other medical applications where body surface area is important.

2. How Does the Calculator 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 formula calculates the square root of the product of weight and height divided by 3600 to estimate body surface area in square meters.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is crucial for burn assessment (Rule of Nines), chemotherapy dosing, calculating cardiac index, and determining nutritional requirements.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. Both values must be positive numbers for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is BSA important for burns?
A: BSA helps determine the percentage of body surface area affected by burns, which guides fluid resuscitation and treatment decisions.

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: How accurate is the Mosteller formula?
A: It's within 1-2% of more complex formulas and is the most commonly used method in clinical practice.

Q4: Are there other BSA formulas?
A: Yes, including DuBois & DuBois, Haycock, and Boyd formulas, but Mosteller is simplest and widely accepted.

Q5: When should I use BSA vs BMI?
A: BSA is used for medical dosing and burn assessment, while BMI is for assessing weight categories and obesity.