Medication safety for children: important advice for caregivers
(BPT) - Each year, an estimated 71,000 children are treated in
emergency rooms for accidental medication poisonings, many of
which are caused by dosing mistakes. Thankfully, while health
care professionals or poison control resources resolve most
issues, extreme cases that go untreated can result in
complications, particularly in very young children. "Many well-
intentioned caregivers can get mixed up when it comes to
administering medication," says Dr. Michael App, a pediatrician
in Grand Rapids, Mich. "With so many factors playing a role in
proper dosage, such as weight and age of the child, it is
essential that caregivers closely follow the directions on the
label to avoid potentially life-threatening mistakes." Several
manufacturers of children's medications are also making efforts
to improve safety and reduce the likelihood of errors. Perrigo
Company , the world's largest manufacturer of over-the-counter
pharmaceutical products for retailers'