Dubois Body Surface Calculator

DuBois Formula:

\[ BSA = 0.007184 \times H^{0.725} \times W^{0.425} \]

Body Surface Area (BSA):

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1. What is the DuBois Body Surface Formula?

The DuBois formula is a mathematical equation used to estimate body surface area (BSA) from height and weight measurements. It is widely used in medical practice for drug dosing, calculating cardiac index, and other clinical applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the DuBois formula:

\[ BSA = 0.007184 \times H^{0.725} \times W^{0.425} \]

Where:

\( H \) — Height in centimeters (cm)
\( W \) — Weight in kilograms (kg)
0.007184, 0.725, 0.425 — Empirical constants

Explanation: The formula provides an estimate of body surface area based on the exponential relationship between height, weight, and body surface area.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: Accurate BSA estimation is crucial for determining appropriate medication dosages (especially chemotherapy), calculating cardiac index, and assessing metabolic rate in various clinical settings.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use the DuBois formula instead of other BSA formulas?
A: The DuBois formula is one of the most widely validated and commonly used BSA formulas in clinical practice, though other formulas like Mosteller may also be used.

Q2: What are typical BSA values?
A: Average BSA for adults is approximately 1.7 m² for men and 1.6 m² for women, but varies significantly with body size.

Q3: When is BSA measurement most important?
A: BSA is particularly important for chemotherapy dosing, pediatric drug dosing, and calculating cardiac index in critical care.

Q4: Are there limitations to this formula?
A: The formula may be less accurate in extremes of body habitus (very obese or very lean individuals) and in specific populations like children.

Q5: Can BSA be measured directly?
A: While formulas provide estimates, direct measurement of BSA is complex and rarely performed in clinical practice, typically reserved for research settings.