Medication Errors Involving Pediatric Patients

摘要

The safe use of medications in pediatric patients presents particular challenges and requires even greater precautions than are needed with adult medications. Pediatric dosages must be adjusted on the basis of the patient's weight, as well as other factors. Many dosages are expressed in milligrams of medication per kilogram of body weight and thus require accurate conversion of the child's weight from pounds to kilograms (1 kg = 2.2 pounds). Compared with more standard dosages for adults, the range of dosages in pediatrics is broad, encompassing patients from birth to 16 years of age. Accurate dosing is critical because small children have limited functional and physiologic reserve. Particularly in premature neonates, the appropriate dosage can change rapidly as the child grows and his or her organ systems develop.