Clinical Medicine & Physiology
Schofield Pediatric BMR Calculator: Weight-Only & Weight-Height Equations (Ages 0–18)
Calculate infant, child, and adolescent Basal Metabolic Rate (kcal/day) across (< 3 yr, 3–10 yr, and 10–18 yr) sex-specific age bands using W. N. Schofield’s (1985) pediatric nutrition equations.
Why adult BMR equations fail in growing children — and how Schofield stratifies pediatric growth bands!
Adult resting metabolic equations (Mifflin-St Jeor, Harris-Benedict) underestimate organ-mass metabolic intensity per kilogram in infants and children! Synthesizing >7,000 indirect calorimetry measurements for the 1985 FAO/WHO/UNU Energy and Protein Requirements report, W. N. Schofield (1985, Hum. Nutr. Clin. Nutr.) established the international pediatric reference equations across three developmental age brackets (< 3 yr, 3 to < 10 yr, and 10 to < 18 yr) by sex!
For routine clinical Weight-Only estimation (kcal/day, W in kg): Boys use 59.512*W - 30.4 (< 3 yr), 22.706*W + 504.3 (3–10 yr), and 17.686*W + 658.2 (10–18 yr); Girls use 58.317*W - 31.1 (< 3 yr), 20.315*W + 485.9 (3–10 yr), and 13.384*W + 692.6 (10–18 yr)! In stunted, wasted, or obese children where stature diverges from weight-for-age, Schofield’s Weight-plus-Height equations incorporate Height H (in meters) directly!
| Pediatric Age Bracket | Schofield Boys Weight Equation (kcal/day) | Schofield Girls Weight Equation (kcal/day) |
|---|---|---|
| Infants & Toddlers (0 to < 3 yr) | 59.512 * W - 30.4 | 58.317 * W - 31.1 |
| Children (3 to < 10 yr) | 22.706 * W + 504.3 | 20.315 * W + 485.9 |
| Adolescents (10 to < 18 yr) | 17.686 * W + 658.2 | 13.384 * W + 692.6 |
Schofield (1985) Pediatric Weight-Based Basal Metabolic Rate (kcal/day)
Selects the exact sex- and age-band Schofield coefficient across Age B2 (0 <= Age < 18 yr), Weight B3 (2–150 kg), and Sex B4 ("M" or "F").
=IF(OR(B2 < 0, B2 >= 18, B3 < 2, B3 > 150, AND(B4 <> "M", B4 <> "F")), "Requires Pediatric Age 0 to <18 yr, Weight 2–150 kg, and Sex M/F", ROUND(IF(B4 = "M", IF(B2 < 3, 59.512 * B3 - 30.4, IF(B2 < 10, 22.706 * B3 + 504.3, 17.686 * B3 + 658.2)), IF(B2 < 3, 58.317 * B3 - 31.1, IF(B2 < 10, 20.315 * B3 + 485.9, 13.384 * B3 + 692.6))), 1))Total Pediatric Daily Caloric Requirement (BMR * Activity/Stress Factor)
Multiplies Schofield BMR by clinical physical-activity / catch-up growth factor B5 (typically 1.2–1.8).
=IF(OR(B2 < 0, B2 >= 18, B3 < 2, B3 > 150, AND(B4 <> "M", B4 <> "F"), B5 < 0.8, B5 > 2.5), "Invalid Pediatric BMR or Stress Multiplier", ROUND(B5 * IF(B4 = "M", IF(B2 < 3, 59.512 * B3 - 30.4, IF(B2 < 10, 22.706 * B3 + 504.3, 17.686 * B3 + 658.2)), IF(B2 < 3, 58.317 * B3 - 31.1, IF(B2 < 10, 20.315 * B3 + 485.9, 13.384 * B3 + 692.6))), 0))Try the example
Use the original values or change them to test your understanding.