1. What is Body Surface Area (BSA)?

Body Surface Area (BSA) is the measured or calculated surface area of the human body. It is used in many medical contexts, including medication dosing and physiological measurements.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Mosteller formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The Mosteller formula provides a simple and accurate method for estimating body surface area using height and weight measurements.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is important for calculating medication dosages for many drugs, particularly chemotherapy agents. It's also used in burn assessment, fluid resuscitation, and various physiological measurements.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter height in centimeters and weight in kilograms. Both values must be valid (height > 0, weight > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use the Mosteller formula?
A: The Mosteller formula is widely accepted, easy to calculate, and provides results comparable to more complex formulas.

Q2: What are typical BSA values?
A: Average BSA for adult men is about 1.9 m², and for adult women about 1.6 m².

Q3: Are there other formulas for BSA calculation?
A: Yes, other formulas include Du Bois, Haycock, and Gehan-George formulas, but Mosteller is among the most commonly used.

Q4: When is BSA most important in medicine?
A: BSA is particularly important for chemotherapy dosing, pediatric dosing, and burn assessment.

Q5: How accurate is BSA calculation?
A: BSA formulas provide estimates that are generally sufficient for clinical purposes, though individual variations exist.