This version was machine-translated from German and has not been medically reviewed. The authoritative version is the German version.
Cardiac Index (CI)
Cardiac output per m² body surface area – with reference range for children
Scientific basis
Body surface area
For indexing, body surface area is calculated by Mosteller from height and weight (body surface area rule set); the pediatric echo recommendations (Lopez 2010) mostly use Haycock for z-scores – for cardiac index and stroke volume index, the choice of formula is of minor importance.
What body surface area is needed for
In pediatrics, some drugs – especially in oncology – are dosed not by weight but by body surface area, because metabolism and renal function follow it better than weight. Echocardiographic reference values, renal function (GFR) and the extent of burns are also related to body surface area.
Why the formulas calculate differently
All three formulas are approximations from measurement series in a few individuals. In adults they differ from one another by a few percent, in infants more so – Haycock was specifically tested in children. Which formula a clinic uses is up to the clinic; that is why all three are shown side by side here.
Calculation aid for healthcare professionals: the calculator reproduces what the sources cited assign to the inputs. Clinical assessment and every treatment decision remain with the treating physician. Inputs and results are not stored.