From the Research
To calculate the body surface area (BSA) for a child with a height of 110 cm and weight of 16.5 kg, I'll use the Mosteller formula, which is the most widely accepted method, as it provides a simple and accurate estimation of BSA 1. The BSA for this child is calculated using the formula BSA = √[(height in cm × weight in kg)/3600], which yields a BSA of approximately 0.73 square meters. This calculation is important in pediatrics as BSA is used to determine medication dosages, particularly for chemotherapy drugs, certain antibiotics, and other medications where weight alone may not provide accurate dosing 2. It's also useful for calculating fluid requirements, nutritional needs, and assessing growth parameters. For this child, the BSA is lower than the average adult BSA of 1.7 square meters, which is expected since children have smaller body sizes. When using this BSA for medication dosing, it's essential to verify the specific drug's dosing guidelines, as some medications have different BSA-based dosing recommendations for pediatric patients 3. The Mosteller formula has been compared to other formulas and has shown excellent correlation, making it a reliable choice for calculating BSA in children 1. In contrast to other formulas, such as the DuBois and DuBois equation, the Mosteller formula is simpler and more suitable for clinical use, especially in pediatric patients 4. Overall, the Mosteller formula provides an accurate and straightforward method for calculating BSA in children, which is crucial for ensuring proper medication dosing and care.