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Mosteller Formula:
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The Mosteller formula is a mathematical equation used to estimate body surface area (BSA) from a person's weight and height. It is widely used in medical practice for drug dosing, chemotherapy regimens, and other clinical applications where body surface area is an important factor.
The calculator uses the Mosteller formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the square root of the product of weight and height divided by 3600, providing a simple and accurate estimate of body surface area.
Details: Accurate BSA estimation is crucial for determining appropriate medication dosages, especially for chemotherapy drugs, anesthetic agents, and other medications where dosage is based on body surface area rather than weight alone.
Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0). The calculator will provide the BSA in square meters.
Q1: Why use Mosteller formula instead of other BSA formulas?
A: The Mosteller formula is simple, widely validated, and commonly used in clinical practice due to its accuracy and ease of calculation.
Q2: What are typical BSA values for adults?
A: Average BSA for adult men is about 1.9 m², for adult women about 1.6 m², though this varies significantly with body size.
Q3: When is BSA calculation most important?
A: BSA is particularly important for chemotherapy dosing, pediatric drug dosing, and calculating cardiac index and other physiological parameters.
Q4: Are there limitations to this formula?
A: Like all BSA formulas, Mosteller provides an estimate and may be less accurate in extremes of body habitus (very obese or very thin individuals).
Q5: Can this calculator be used for children?
A: Yes, the Mosteller formula is applicable for both adults and children, though pediatric dosing often requires additional considerations.