23.1 Length-based paediatric drug dosing and equipment sizing Ronald A. Dieckmann Background Emergency treatment of infants and children is sometimes difficult because children of different ages require different sizes of equipment, doses of medications, and volumes of fluids. Errors are common when selecting appropriate equipment and medications in critical paediatric emergencies, and mistakes are especially frequent with doses of drugs that are powerful cardiovascular agents, such as adrenaline (epinephrine). Length-based drug dosing and equipment sizing is an effective method for rapid selection of emergency treatments. Using length as a basis for ordering drugs and equipment is at least as accurate as weight, and length may be more accurate than weight for equipment sizing. It is also less likely to cause error in high-stress circumstances. There are two methods of rapid drug dosing and equipment sizing: (1) a software paediatric decision support program; (2) a length-based resuscitation tape. Software decision support programs for desktop, or laptop computers or PDA are now available: by imprinting a child’s length, the programs provide exact drug doses or equipment sizes for a vast range of medications and equipment. The paediatric resuscitation tape or length-based resuscitation tape is a simple visual tool to measure lengths and to approximate weights in children. There are several commercial products available. One type of tape utilises colour zones to cluster closely matched sizes of children into categories that have the same drug and equipment requirements. A disadvantage of the resuscitation tape is that only a few drugs are listed on the tape. Hence, a current additional comprehensive drug reference is imperative to address the multiple pharmacological needs of children. Indication Children requiring equipment, medication, or fluids, weighing 3–34 kg body weight (about age 10–12 years). Contraindications • Premature infant weighing less than 3 kg. • Child older than 10–12 years of age or weighing more than 34 kg body weight (use adult equipment and drug dosages). Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Related Related posts: Syncope Abdominal and pelvic trauma Paediatric advanced life support (PALS, APLS) Pertussis Infective endocarditis Availing web-based resources Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel Join Tags: Textbook of Paediatric Emergency Medicine Sep 7, 2016 | Posted by admin in EMERGENCY MEDICINE | Comments Off on Length-based paediatric drug dosing and equipment sizing Full access? Get Clinical Tree
23.1 Length-based paediatric drug dosing and equipment sizing Ronald A. Dieckmann Background Emergency treatment of infants and children is sometimes difficult because children of different ages require different sizes of equipment, doses of medications, and volumes of fluids. Errors are common when selecting appropriate equipment and medications in critical paediatric emergencies, and mistakes are especially frequent with doses of drugs that are powerful cardiovascular agents, such as adrenaline (epinephrine). Length-based drug dosing and equipment sizing is an effective method for rapid selection of emergency treatments. Using length as a basis for ordering drugs and equipment is at least as accurate as weight, and length may be more accurate than weight for equipment sizing. It is also less likely to cause error in high-stress circumstances. There are two methods of rapid drug dosing and equipment sizing: (1) a software paediatric decision support program; (2) a length-based resuscitation tape. Software decision support programs for desktop, or laptop computers or PDA are now available: by imprinting a child’s length, the programs provide exact drug doses or equipment sizes for a vast range of medications and equipment. The paediatric resuscitation tape or length-based resuscitation tape is a simple visual tool to measure lengths and to approximate weights in children. There are several commercial products available. One type of tape utilises colour zones to cluster closely matched sizes of children into categories that have the same drug and equipment requirements. A disadvantage of the resuscitation tape is that only a few drugs are listed on the tape. Hence, a current additional comprehensive drug reference is imperative to address the multiple pharmacological needs of children. Indication Children requiring equipment, medication, or fluids, weighing 3–34 kg body weight (about age 10–12 years). Contraindications • Premature infant weighing less than 3 kg. • Child older than 10–12 years of age or weighing more than 34 kg body weight (use adult equipment and drug dosages). Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Related Related posts: Syncope Abdominal and pelvic trauma Paediatric advanced life support (PALS, APLS) Pertussis Infective endocarditis Availing web-based resources Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel Join Tags: Textbook of Paediatric Emergency Medicine Sep 7, 2016 | Posted by admin in EMERGENCY MEDICINE | Comments Off on Length-based paediatric drug dosing and equipment sizing Full access? Get Clinical Tree
