[Development of body surface area during childhood (author's transl)]

Using the formula of Haycock et al. development of body surface area was calculated in children according to the results of the Dortmund longitudinal growth study. Form birth to the 16th year of life the increase in mean body surface area amounts to 1.49 m2 in boys and 1.39 m2 in girls. Development of body surface area does not follow a Gaussian distribution. The presentation of the development of body surface area as percentiles allow a clearer and an easier application for the clinical use.