1. What is Body Surface Area (BSA)?

Body Surface Area (BSA) is the calculated surface area of a human body. It is used in many medical contexts, including medication dosing, fluid requirements, and classification of various medical conditions.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Mosteller formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: This formula provides a simple and accurate method for estimating body surface area based on height and weight measurements.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is crucial for determining appropriate medication dosages (especially chemotherapy), calculating cardiac index, and assessing burn surface area in emergency medicine.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is BSA important in medicine?
A: BSA provides a more accurate measure for drug dosing than body weight alone, particularly for medications with narrow therapeutic windows.

Q2: What are normal BSA values?
A: Average BSA for adults is approximately 1.7 m² for men and 1.6 m² for women, but varies significantly based on height and weight.

Q3: Are there different formulas for calculating BSA?
A: Yes, besides the Mosteller formula shown here, other common formulas include Du Bois, Haycock, and Gehan-George formulas.

Q4: When should BSA be used instead of weight for dosing?
A: BSA is typically used for chemotherapy drugs, some antimicrobials, and other medications where distribution is related to body surface area.

Q5: How accurate is the Mosteller formula?
A: The Mosteller formula is widely accepted and provides results comparable to more complex formulas while being easier to calculate.