Body Surface Area:

Average Adult Dose

At times the amount of medication that needs to be administered

will be dependant on the childs body surface area (BSA) and also
on the Average Adult Dose for that medication.

If this is the case the following formula should be used to calculate

the dosage required to give:

Child's BSA (m2 )

Child's dose = " Average adult dose
1.73 m2

! Example

A child has a body surface area of 0.69 m and is ordered a

medication for which the average adult dose is 40 mg.
Expressed to 1 decimal place what is the childs required
dosage?

Step 1

From the question write down the body surface area of the child
and the average adult dose:

Body Surface Area = 0.69 m

Average adult dose = 40 mg

Step 2

Apply the correct formula:

The appropriate formula is:

 Child's BSA (m2 )
Child's dose = " Average adult dose
1.73 m2

Putting the values of BSA and average adult dose (from

above) into the formula:
!
0.69 m2
Child's dose = " 40 mg
1.73 m2

Childs dose = 15.953757 mg

! The final answer should be expressed to 1 decimal place.
The correct final answer is:

Childs dose = 16.0 mg

Using a calculator:

To solve this using a calculator enter:

0.69 1.73 x 40 =

which gives 15.953757 mg.

Rounding to 1 decimal places gives an answer of 16.0 mg.

Example

A child has a body surface area of 0.36 m and is ordered a

medication for which the average adult dose is 60 mg.
Expressed to 1 decimal place what dose should the child be
given?

Step 1

From the question write down the body surface area of the child
and the average adult dose:

Body surface area (BSA) = 0.36 m

Average adult dose = 60 mg
 Step 2

Apply the correct formula:

The relevant formula is:

Child's BSA (m2 )

Child's dose = " Average adult dose
1.73 m2

Putting the values of BSA and average adult dose (from

above) into the formula:
!
0.36 m2
Child's dose = " 60 mg
1.73 m2

Childs dose = 12.5 mg (expressed to 1 decimal place)

!
Using a calculator:

To solve this using a calculator enter:

0.36 1.73 x 60 =

which gives 12.48554913 mg.

Rounding to 1 decimal places gives an answer of 12.5 mg.

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