Small patients, big challenges: navigating pediatric drug manipulations to prevent medication errors - a comprehensive review

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Medication errors during drug manipulations in pediatric care pose significant challenges to patient safety and optimal medication management. Epidemiological studies have revealed a high prevalenceof medication errors throughout the medication process. Due to the lack of age-appropriate dosage forms, medication manipulation is common in pediatric drug administration. The consequences of these manipulations on drug efficacy and safety could be devastating, highlighting the need for evidence-based guidelines and standardized compounding practices.

Areas covered

This review focuses on examining medication errors in pediatric care and delving into the manipulation of medicinal products.

Expert opinion

The observed prevalence of medication errors and manipulations underscores the importance of addressing these issues to enhance patient safety and improve medication outcomes in pediatric care. Overall, the development of age-appropriate formulations and the dissemination of comprehensive clinical guidelines are essential steps toward improving medication safety and minimizing manipulations in pediatric healthcare settings.

KEYWORDS:

• Age-appropriate formulation
• compounding/extemporaneous preparation
• drug manipulation
• medication error
• off-label/unlicensed use
• pediatric patient

Article highlights

• The lack of age-appropriate formulations for children leads to medication manipulation, posing risks such as inaccurate dosing and compromised stability.

• Medication errors in pediatric care require improved safety protocols to prevent adverse events and increased mortality rates.

• More research is needed on the safety and impact of drug manipulation on pediatric administration, calling for standardized guidelines and further investigation.

• 3D printing holds promise for personalized pediatric medications, enhancing formulation options.

Declaration of interests

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

The research work was supported by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (HFRI) under the 3rd Call for HFRI PhD Fellowships (Fellowship Number: 5669).