Pediatric dosing

Definition

Pediatric dosing is the calculation and administration of medication doses specifically for children, taking into account their unique physiological characteristics. It requires adjustments based on age, weight, and developmental stage to ensure safety and efficacy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Pediatric doses are often calculated using a child's weight (mg/kg) or body surface area (BSA).
2. Children have different drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion rates compared to adults.
3. Oral antidiabetic drugs require careful dosing adjustments in pediatric patients due to varying insulin sensitivity.
4. The FDA has specific guidelines for pediatric dosing that must be adhered to when prescribing medications for children.
5. Off-label drug use is common in pediatrics but must be approached with caution due to limited clinical trials data.

Review Questions

• Why is it important to adjust medication doses for pediatric patients?
• What factors are primarily considered when calculating pediatric doses of oral antidiabetic drugs?
• How do the pharmacokinetics of children differ from those of adults?

Related terms

Pharmacokinetics:

The study of how drugs move through the body during absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

Body Surface Area (BSA): A method used to calculate drug dosages based on the surface area of a patient's body.

Off-label Drug Use: Prescribing a drug for an age group or condition that is not included in the approved labeling by regulatory authorities.