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AAP urges standardizing metric unit dosing for all liquid medications

In a recently released policy statement, the AAP called for the exclusive use of metric-based dosing for all liquid medications to help prevent unintended overdoses.

“Each year, more than 70,000 children visit emergency departments as a result of unintentional medication overdoses. Volumetric dosing errors and use of incorrect dosing delivery devices are [two] frequent sources of these overdoses,” Ian M. Paul, MD, MSc, FAAP, of the AAP, and members of the Committee on Drugs, wrote.

Ian M. Paul

Inconsistencies in labeling and devices, such as a dosage in milliliters with a device that reads in teaspoons, are a source of confusion among caregivers. They note in the paper that many caregivers often still use household spoons to deliver medication, which leads to improper dosages.

In their statement, the AAP recommended the following to allow for safer and more effective dosing for children’s medications:

• metric-based dosing should be used for all orally administered liquid medications, and standardize the abbreviation for milliliter to mL;
• careful review of milliliter-based dosing instructions with patients and families;
• clear labeling of medication strength, along with dosing frequency; and
• the use of devices, preferably syringes, that allow for exact dosing. – by Casey Hower

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.