Calculate the body surface area according to the formula of Dubois and Mosteller

In physiology and medicine, the body surface area BSA is the measured or calculated surface area of a human body. For many clinical purposes body surface area BSA is a better indicator of metabolic mass than body weight because it is less affected by abnormal adipose mass.

Various calculations have been published to arrive at the body surface area BSA without direct measurement.

In this app are two formulas:

- the most widely used is the Dubois formula, which has been shown to be equally as effective in estimating body fat in obese and non-obese patients, something the Body mass index fails to do.

A commonly used and simple one is the Mosteller formula.

Definition

Body surface area (BSA) is a measurement of the external surface area of the human body. It is expressed in square meters (m²) and is a critical parameter used in various medical calculations and estimations.

Calculation Methods

Several formulas are available to calculate BSA, including:

* Du Bois and Du Bois (1916): BSA = 0.007184 * (Height in cm)^0.725 * (Weight in kg)^0.425

* Mosteller (1987): BSA = (Height in cm)^0.5 * (Weight in kg)^0.5 / 60

Clinical Significance

BSA has numerous clinical applications, such as:

* Drug Dosing: BSA is used to determine the appropriate dosage of medications, as it influences the volume of distribution and clearance of drugs.

* Burn Management: BSA helps assess the extent of burns and estimate fluid and electrolyte requirements for resuscitation.

* Nutritional Assessment: BSA is used to calculate daily calorie and nutrient requirements for patients.

* Estimation of Fluid Requirements: BSA is a factor in estimating the amount of fluids required for maintenance, dehydration, or fluid overload.

* Estimation of Blood Volume: BSA can be used to estimate the total blood volume in the body.

Limitations

While BSA is a useful parameter, it has certain limitations:

* Not an Exact Measurement: BSA is an estimation and may not accurately reflect the true surface area of the body.

* Variation with Body Composition: BSA does not account for differences in body composition, such as muscle mass or adiposity.

* Accuracy in Specific Populations: BSA formulas may not be accurate in all populations, such as children, the elderly, or those with certain medical conditions.

Additional Considerations

* Height and Weight: BSA is primarily determined by height and weight. Changes in either parameter can significantly alter BSA.

* Body Shape: Body shape can influence BSA, with individuals with larger surface areas having a higher BSA than those with smaller surface areas.

* Measurement Methods: BSA can be measured using various techniques, including calipers, scanners, and software. The accuracy of these methods may vary.