Editing Body surface area (section)

==Uses==
Examples of uses of the BSA:
* [[Renal function|Renal clearance]] usually divided by the BSA i.e. per 1.73 m² to gain an appreciation of the true [[glomerular filtration rate]] (GFR);
* The [[Quetelet index]] uses a somewhat modified form of the BSA;
* The [[cardiac index]] is a measure of [[cardiac output]] divided by the BSA, giving a better approximation of the effective cardiac output;
* [[Chemotherapy]] is often dosed according to the patient's BSA.
* [[Glucocorticoid]] dosing is also expressed in terms of BSA for calculating maintenance doses or to compare high dose use with maintenance requirement.

There is some evidence that BSA values are less accurate at extremes of height and weight, where [[Body Mass Index]] may be a better estimate (for hemodynamic parameters).<ref>{{cite journal |year=2012 |last1=Adler |first1=AC |last2=Nathanson |first2=BH |last3=Raguhunathan |first3=K |last4=McGee |first4=WT |title=Misleading indexed hemodynamic parameters: the clinical importance of discordant BMI and BSA at extremes of weight |volume=16 |issue=6 |pages=471 |journal=Critical Care |doi=10.1186/cc11876 |pmid=23273020 |pmc=3672608 |doi-access=free }}</ref>