Geometric method for measuring body surface area: A height-weight formula validated in infants, children, and adults

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3476(78)80601-5Get rights and content

Estimates of body surface area were made based on measurement of 81 subjects, ranging from premature infants to adults. SA was calculated geometrically for each subject from 34 body measurements, and the values obtained compared with those based on previously published formulas and graphs. The most widely used formula, that of Du Bois and Du Bois, increasingly underestimated SA as values fell below 0.7 m2; the disparity was greatest in the newborn infant (7.96%). Closer agreement was obtained with the equations and nomograms of Body, Brody, Faber and Melcher, and Sendroy and Cecchini, although minor deviations were noted in some age ranges. The formula SA (m2) = weight (kg)0.5378 × height (cm)0.3964 × 0.024265, derived from the measured data by multiple regression analysis, gave a good fit for all values of SA from less than 0.2 m2 to greater than 2.0 m2 (r = 0.998). This formula was used to construct nomograms for estimation of SA in infants, children, and adults from height (length) and weight.

References (20)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (0)

Supported in part by the New York State Kidney Disease Institute Grant No. C-7111 and the National Institutes of Health Grant No. AM 00129.

1

From the Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Bronx Municipal Hospital Center.

View full text