Pediatric Body Surface Area Calculator
Calculate body surface area for children using Mosteller formula
About this calculator
The Pediatric Body Surface Area Calculator determines a child's body surface area using the widely-accepted Mosteller formula, which provides accurate measurements based on height and weight. This calculation is essential for pediatric healthcare professionals to determine proper medication dosages, chemotherapy treatments, and cardiac output assessments. Body surface area is considered more accurate than weight alone for calculating pediatric drug dosages, making this tool vital for safe and effective treatment planning in children of all ages.
How to use
Enter your child's current weight in kilograms or pounds and height in centimeters or inches into the designated fields. Select the appropriate units for each measurement. Click the calculate button to instantly receive the body surface area result in square meters using the Mosteller formula.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Mosteller formula for body surface area?
The Mosteller formula is BSA = √[(height in cm × weight in kg) ÷ 3600]. It's widely used in pediatrics for its accuracy and simplicity.
Why is body surface area important for children?
Body surface area provides more accurate medication dosing than weight alone, especially for chemotherapy, anesthesia, and other critical treatments in pediatric patients.
At what age can this calculator be used?
This calculator can be used for children of any age, from newborns to adolescents, as long as accurate height and weight measurements are available.