BSA Calculator - Mosteller Formula

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. 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:

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

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula calculates BSA by taking the square root of the product of weight and height divided by 3600.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is used in many medical applications including chemotherapy dosing, cardiac index calculation, burn assessment, and glomerular filtration rate estimation. 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 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 recommended by many medical organizations for its accuracy and ease of use.

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 range from about 0.25 m² for newborns to 2.5 m² for large adults.

Q3: When is BSA used in medicine?
A: BSA is used for chemotherapy dosing, calculating cardiac index, adjusting dialysis doses, and assessing burn extent among other applications.

Q4: Are there limitations to BSA calculations?
A: BSA doesn't account for body composition differences. In obese patients or those with unusual body proportions, other methods may be needed.

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