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:

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

Explanation: The formula calculates BSA by taking the square root of the product of height and weight divided by 3600.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is used to calculate medical indicators like cardiac index and chemotherapy dosages. Many drugs are dosed according to BSA to ensure proper distribution throughout the body.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is BSA important in medicine?
A: BSA provides a more accurate measure of metabolic mass than body weight alone, which is important for drug dosing and physiological measurements.

Q2: What are normal BSA values?
A: Average BSA is about 1.7 m² for adult men and 1.6 m² for adult women, but varies with body size.

Q3: Are there other formulas for BSA?
A: Yes, other formulas include Du Bois, Haycock, and Gehan-George formulas, but Mosteller is widely used for its simplicity and accuracy.

Q4: When is BSA most commonly used?
A: BSA is most commonly used in chemotherapy dosing, burn assessment, and cardiac output calculations.

Q5: How accurate is this calculator?
A: The calculator provides a good estimate for most individuals, but for precise medical applications, healthcare providers may use more specialized methods.