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.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Mosteller formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The Mosteller formula is one of the simplest and most commonly used methods for calculating BSA, providing results comparable to more complex formulas.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is used for:

• Calculating chemotherapy drug dosages
• Determining cardiac index and other physiological measurements
• Adjusting medication doses for pediatric patients
• Assessing burn patients

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Mosteller formula instead of others?
A: The Mosteller formula is simple, easy 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 significantly with body size.

Q3: How accurate is this calculator?
A: The calculator provides a good estimate for most clinical purposes, though individual variations exist.

Q4: Can I use pounds and inches?
A: This calculator uses metric units (kg and cm). For imperial units, convert pounds to kg (1 lb = 0.453592 kg) and inches to cm (1 in = 2.54 cm).

Q5: When is BSA not appropriate for dosing?
A: Some medications are dosed by weight alone or require other adjustments (e.g., renal function). Always follow specific dosing guidelines.