📌 What Is Body Surface Area (BSA)?
BSA is the total surface area of the human body, measured in square meters (m²). It's widely used in medical practice to calculate drug dosages, assess metabolic rate, and determine treatment protocols for conditions like burns or chemotherapy.
📋 Average BSA Values
| Category |
Average BSA (m²) |
| Newborn infants |
0.25 |
| 2-year-old child |
0.5 |
| 10-year-old child |
1.14 |
| Adult women |
1.6 |
| Adult men |
1.9 |
| Reference value (70kg adult) |
1.73 |
⚠️ Important Notes
- Medical Use: BSA is particularly important for chemotherapy dosing and burn assessment.
- Limitations: BSA doesn't account for body composition (muscle vs. fat).
- Measurement Tips: For accurate results, measure height without shoes and weight with minimal clothing.
- Unit Conversion: The calculator automatically handles conversions between kg/lb and cm/in/ft.
📚 Why BSA Matters in Medicine
BSA provides a better indicator of metabolic mass than body weight alone, as it accounts for both height and weight. This makes it particularly useful for:
- Calculating drug dosages (especially chemotherapy)
- Assessing burn size (rule of nines)
- Evaluating cardiac index
- Determining glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
🚨 When to Consult a Doctor
While BSA is a useful tool for health assessments, it should never replace professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor for:
- Precise medication dosing
- Metabolic health concerns
- Personalized health assessments