Body Surface Area (BSA) Calculator
About the BSA Calculator
Body Surface Area (BSA) is a measurement of the total surface area of the human body. It is widely used in medicine for chemotherapy dosing, cardiac output calculations, burn severity assessment, and determining appropriate medication dosages.
The Formulas
Mosteller formula: BSA (m²) = √(height (cm) × weight (kg) / 3600). DuBois formula: BSA = 0.007184 × weight^0.425 × height^0.725 (weight in kg, height in cm). Both formulas yield slightly different results; Mosteller is simpler and more commonly used in clinical practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is BSA important in chemotherapy?
Many chemotherapy drugs have a narrow therapeutic index, meaning the difference between an effective dose and a toxic dose is small. Dosing by BSA helps ensure each patient receives a dose proportional to their body size, improving safety and efficacy.
What is a normal BSA range?
Average BSA for adults is approximately 1.7 m² for men and 1.6 m² for women. Normal ranges vary with height and weight. BSA below 0.5 m² is typically seen in infants, while values above 2.5 m² are seen in larger individuals.