1. Body Surface Area and Advanced Pediatric Calculations
Chapter 15
Revised KBurger 1108

2. BSA (m2) Calculation
To calculate Body Surface Area (BSA) in m2 based on metric measurement of height and weight:
BSA (m2) =

3. BSA (m2) Calculation
To calculate BSA in m2 based on household measurement of height and weight:
BSA (m2) =

4. BSA (m2) Calculation Calculate in Metric
BSA of a child whose height is 105 cm (42 in) and weight is 31.8 kg (70 lb).

5. BSA (m2) Calculation

6. BSA (m2) Calculation Calculate in Household
BSA of a child whose height is 105 cm (42 in) and weight is 31.8 kg (70 lb).

7. BSA (m2) Calculation

8. Verifying Safe Dosages: BSA Method
Verify safe pediatric dosage based on BSA:
Determine BSA in m2.
Calculate the safe dosage based on BSA: mg per m2 × m2 = X mg
Compare ordered dosage to recommended dosage
Decide if the dosage is safe.

9. Verifying Safe Dosages: BSA Method
If dosage is safe
Calculate amount to give and administer dose
If dosage seems unsafe, consult with ordering practitioner before administering

10. Verifying Safe Dosages: BSA Method
Note: Recommended dosage may specify:
mg per m2
Mcg per m2
g per m2
Units per m2
M units per m2
mE q per m2

11. Calculation of Safe Dosage by BSA
A child is 126 cm tall and weighs 23 kg.
Drug order reads: Oncovin 1.8 mg IV at 10 A.M.
Is this dosage safe?
Recommended dosage is 2 mg per m2 .

12. Calculation of Safe Dosage by BSA

13. Calculation of Safe Dosage by BSA
Determine BSA
Calculate recommended dosage
Mg per m2 × m2 = 2 mg per m2 × 0.9 m2 = 1.8 mg

14. Calculation of Safe Dosage by BSA
3. Decide if the dosage is safe
Dosage ordered is 1.8 mg and 1.8 mg is amount recommended by BSA
4. Calculate one dose

15. Calculation of Safe Dosage by BSA
Step 1. Convert
No conversion is necessary.
Step 2. Think
Give more than 1 mL and less than 2 mL

16. Calculation of Safe Dosage by BSA
Step 3. Calculate
Use ratio-proportion:
X = 1.8 mL

17. BSA Nomogram Chart that estimates BSA by plotting height and weight.
See page 380 in Pickar
BSA Nomogram
Chart that estimates BSA by plotting height and weight.
Find height and weight on columns and draw a straight line between them
Point where crosses the SA column = BSA
NOTE: incremental spaces are not consistent. Take care to read numbers and calibration values correctly.

18. Total Daily IV Fluid for Children
Use this formula to calculate the daily rate of pediatric maintenance IV fluids:
100 mL per kg per day for the first 10 kg of body weight
50 mL per kg per day for the next 10 kg of body weight
20 mL per kg per day for each kg above 20 kg of body weight

19. Total Daily IV Fluid for Children
Child who weighs 24 kg
100 mL per kg per day × 10 kg = 1000 mL per day (for first 10 kg)
50 mL per kg per day × 10 kg = 500 mL per day (for next 10 kg)
20 mL per kg per day × 4 kg = 80 mL per day (for remaining 4 kg)
TOTAL 1580mL per day

20. Total Daily IV Fluid for Children Calculating hourly IV flow rate
1000 mL per day
+ 500 mL per day
+ 80 mL per day
= 1580 mL per day