1. What is Body Surface Area (BSA)?

Body Surface Area (BSA) is the calculated surface area of the human body. It's often used in medical practice to calculate drug dosages and medical indicators that are more accurate than those based on body weight alone.

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 most commonly used equations for BSA calculation due to its simplicity and accuracy.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is used in medicine to calculate drug dosages for chemotherapy, cardiac index, and other medical parameters that require more precise dosing than weight-based calculations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. Both values must be greater than zero for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use BSA instead of weight for drug dosing?
A: BSA accounts for both height and weight, providing a better estimate of metabolic mass than body weight alone.

Q2: What are typical BSA values?
A: Average BSA is about 1.7 m² for adult men and 1.6 m² for adult women. Children have smaller values that increase with age.

Q3: Are there other BSA formulas?
A: Yes, other formulas include Du Bois, Haycock, and Gehan-George, but Mosteller is most commonly used due to its simplicity.

Q4: When is BSA most important?
A: Particularly important for chemotherapy dosing, where precise dosing is critical for efficacy and minimizing toxicity.

Q5: How accurate is the Mosteller formula?
A: It's accurate for most clinical purposes, though in extreme body types (very tall/short or obese/underweight), other formulas might be more precise.