1. What is Body Surface Area?

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. Haycock Formula Explained

The calculator uses the Haycock formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The Haycock formula is particularly accurate for pediatric patients and is widely used in clinical settings for children.

3. Clinical Importance

Details: BSA is used to calculate medical parameters including cardiac index, chemotherapy dosages, and glomerular filtration rate. It's more accurate than body weight alone for these purposes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. Both values must be greater than zero. For infants, use precise measurements.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Haycock instead of other BSA formulas?
A: The Haycock formula has been validated specifically for pediatric populations and provides more accurate results for children.

Q2: What are normal BSA values?
A: BSA varies with age and size. Average is about 1.7 m² for adult men and 1.6 m² for adult women. Newborns average about 0.25 m².

Q3: When is BSA most important?
A: Particularly crucial for chemotherapy dosing, burn assessment, and pediatric drug calculations where weight-based dosing may be less accurate.

Q4: Are there limitations to this formula?
A: Like all BSA formulas, it's less accurate for extremely obese or muscular individuals. Clinical judgment should always be used.

Q5: Can this be used for adults?
A: While developed for pediatrics, the Haycock formula can be used for adults, though other formulas like Mosteller are also common.