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. The Mosteller formula is one of the most commonly used equations for BSA calculation.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Mosteller formula:

Where:

• \( Weight \) — Body weight in kilograms (kg)
• \( Height \) — Height in centimeters (cm)

Explanation: The formula provides a simple way to estimate body surface area from just height and weight measurements.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is used in many medical applications including chemotherapy dosing, cardiac index calculations, and renal function assessments. It's considered more accurate than body weight alone for many medical calculations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. Both values must be positive numbers. For best accuracy, use precise measurements.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Mosteller formula instead of others?
A: The Mosteller formula is simple to calculate and has been validated against more complex methods. It's 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. Values vary with body size.

Q3: When is BSA used in medicine?
A: Common uses include chemotherapy dosing, calculating cardiac index, and adjusting drug doses for pediatric patients.

Q4: Are there limitations to this formula?
A: Like all BSA formulas, it's less accurate at extremes of body size (very small or very large individuals).

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 in = 2.54 cm) first.