Body Surface Area Calculation for a Boy Weighing 19.35 kg
The estimated body surface area (BSA) for a boy weighing 19.35 kg can be calculated using the Gehan and George equation: BSA (m²) = 0.0235 × (height [cm])^0.42246 × (weight [kg])^0.51456. 1
Calculation Methods for BSA
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using the Gehan and George equation for calculating BSA in pediatric patients as it is derived from the greatest number of study subjects and provides more accurate results 1
- Without height information provided, we can use alternative simplified formulas:
Clinical Considerations
- Accurate BSA calculation is particularly important for medications with narrow therapeutic indices, such as chemotherapeutic agents 1
- BSA calculations may need adjustment in special populations, such as malnourished patients, with specific corrections made using established tables 1
- For a child weighing 19.35 kg, BSA would typically fall between 0.7-0.8 m² depending on height and age 3, 4
Alternative Formulas
- The DuBois formula is widely used but was derived from only 9 subjects, potentially limiting its accuracy 2
- More recent research has shown that the Yu formula may be more accurate for certain populations, though the Gehan and George equation remains the standard for pediatric patients 5
- For clinical simplicity, the Mosteller formula [√(weight × height/3600)] provides reasonable accuracy and is easier to calculate 2, 6
Important Considerations
- Without the child's height, only an approximate BSA range can be provided 3
- For precise medication dosing or clinical applications, the actual height measurement should be obtained 1
- BSA calculations are essential for normalizing cardiac parameters and volumes, as recommended by various cardiology societies 1