Review of commonly used age-based weight estimates for paediatric drug dosing in relation to the pharmacokinetic properties of resuscitation drugs

Do Clothing Labels Play a Role for Weight Estimation in Pediatric Emergencies? A Prospective, Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to investigate the usability of the age value listed on the labels on children's clothes in the age-based weight estimation method recommended by the Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) guidelines.

MATERIAL-METHOD

This prospective, cross-sectional study was organized in Antalya Training and Research Hospital Emergency Department. Children aged between 1-12 years were included in the study. The weight measurements of the children were obtained based on the age-related criteria on the labels of their clothes. The estimated values were compared with the real values of the cases measured on the scale.

RESULTS

One-thousand ninety-four cases were included, the mean age of cases in age-based measurements was 6.25 years, which was 6.5 years in label-based measurements. Average weights measured 25.75kg according to age-based measurements, 26.5kg according to label-based measurements, and 26.0kg on the scales, and showed no statistical difference (P <.0001). It was estimated that 741 (67.7%) of age-based measurements and 775 (70.8%) of label-based measurements were within (±)10% values within the normal measurement limits and no significant difference was measured.

CONCLUSION

In the emergency department and prehospital setting, children with an unknown age and that need resuscitation and interventional procedures for stabilization, and have no time for weight estimation, checking the age on clothing label (ACL) instead of the actual age (AA) can be safely used for the age-dependent weight calculation formula recommended by the PALS guide.

Implications for medication dosing for transgender patients: A review of the literature and recommendations for pharmacists

PURPOSE

Transgender patients face considerable healthcare disparities. Improved means of recognizing transgender patients and understanding their medical needs is important to provide optimal care. The electronic medical record (EMR) of our health system allows for differentiation of gender identity, legal sex, and sex at birth. With EMR recognition of transgender patients, a recommendation for estimating creatinine clearance (CLcr) and ideal body weight (IBW) was needed to standardize medication dosing.

SUMMARY

The literature was reviewed for evidence on the effect of gender-affirming hormone therapy on serum creatinine concentration and lean body mass. Findings informed a recommendation for drug dosing based on CLcr and IBW in transgender patients. Four studies that reported the effect of hormone therapy on biometric laboratory values were found. Three studies reported that values of transgender patients more closely resembled the standard values of their gender identity vs sex at birth after hormone therapy; 1 study reported a range of values that more closely resembled those associated with sex at birth while still overlapping with values associated with gender identity. Consequently, it was recommended that pharmacists dose medications based on CLcr and IBW calculations consistent with gender identity after a patient has been on hormone therapy for 6 months or longer.

CONCLUSION

Providing optimal care to transgender patients includes considering the effect of gender-affirming hormone therapy on overall physiology. Consistently using the appropriate CLcr and IBW calculations for each patient ensures safe and effective care. Additional studies are needed to confirm the effect of hormone therapy on renal clearance and lean body mass.

The utility of pediatric age-based weight estimation formulas for emergency drug dose calculations in obese children

OBJECTIVES

In obese children, when drug therapy is required during emergency care, an estimation of ideal body weight is required for certain drug dose calculations. Some experts have previously speculated that age-based weight estimation formulas could be used to predict ideal body weight. The objectives of this study were to evaluate how accurately age-based formulas could predict ideal body weight and total body weight in obese children.

METHODS

Three age-based weight estimation formulas were evaluated in a secondary analysis, using a pooled sample of children from 3 academic emergency departments in South Africa. The estimates produced by the 3 formulas (and the PAWPER XL tape as a control) were compared against measured total body weight and ideal body weight. The percentages of estimates falling within 10% of the standard weight were used as the primary outcome measure (PW10).

RESULTS

This study included 1026 children. For ideal body weight estimations in obese children, the old Advanced Life Support formula, the new Advanced Life Support formula, and the Best Guess formula achieved PW10s (with 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) of 29% (27.2%, 30.8%), 41.4% (38.9%, 43.9%), and 48.3% (45.3%, 51.3%), respectively. For total body weight estimations, the formulas achieved PW10s of 3.6% (3.4%, 3.8%), 5.2% (4.9%, 5.5%), and 19.0% (17.8%, 20.2%). The PAWPER XL tape achieved an accuracy of ideal body weight estimation of 100% (93.9%, 100%) and total body weight estimation of 49.7% (46.7%, 52.7%) in obese children.

CONCLUSIONS

The age-based formulas were substantially less accurate at estimating total body weight and ideal body weight than existing length-based methods such as the PAWPER XL tape, and should not be used for this purpose.

Medication Dosing Safety for Pediatric Patients: Recognizing Gaps, Safety Threats, and Best Practices in the Emergency Medical Services Setting. A Position Statement and Resource Document from NAEMSP

BACKGROUND

Millions of patients receive medications in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) setting annually, and dosing safety is critically important. The need for weight-based dosing in pediatric patients and variability in medication concentrations available in the EMS setting may require EMS providers to perform complex calculations to derive the appropriate dose to deliver. These factors can significantly increase the risk for harm when dose calculations are inaccurate or incorrect.

METHODS

We conducted a scoping review of the EMS, interfacility transport and emergency medicine literature regarding pediatric medication dosing safety. A priori, the authors identified four research topics: (1) what are the greatest safety threats that result in significant dosing errors that potentially result in harm to patients, (2) what practices or technologies are known to enhance dosing safety, (3) can data from other settings be extrapolated to the EMS environment to inform dosing safety, and (4) what impact could standardization of medication formularies have on enhancing dosing safety. To address these topics, 17 PICO (Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) questions were developed and a literature search was performed.

RESULTS

After applying exclusion criteria, 70 articles were reviewed. The methods for the investigation, findings from these articles and how they inform EMS medication dosing safety are summarized here. This review yielded 11 recommendations to improve safety of medication delivery in the EMS setting.

CONCLUSION

These recommendations are summarized in the National Association of EMS Physicians® position statement: Medication Dosing Safety for Pediatric Patients in Emergency Medical Services.

"Weighing Cam": A New Mobile Application for Weight Estimation in Pediatric Resuscitation

Objective: We evaluated the validity of a newly developed mobile application (i.e. the Weighing Cam) for pediatric weight estimation compared with that of the Broselow tape. Methods: We developed an application that estimates the weight of pediatric patients using a smartphone camera and displays the drug dosage, device size, and defibrillation energy on the screen of the smartphone. We enrolled a convenience sample of pediatric patients aged <16 years who presented at two pediatric emergency departments of two tertiary academic hospitals in South Korea. The pediatric patients' heights and weights were measured; then, one researcher estimated the weights using the application. Using the measured height, we determined the weight estimated by the Broselow tape. We compared the estimated measurements by determining the mean percentage error (MPE), mean absolute percentage error, root mean square percentage error, and percentages predicted within 10% and 20% of the actual. Results: In total, 480 patients were enrolled in 16 age categories, each with 15 males and 15 females of different ages. The Weighing Cam demonstrated a lower bias (mean difference: -1.98% [95% confidence interval -2.91% to -1.05%] for MPE) and a higher proportion of estimated weights within 10% of the actual weights than the Broselow tape (mean difference: 9.1% [95% confidence interval 3.0% to 15.1%]). The Weighing Cam showed better performance in terms of accuracy and precision than the Broselow tape in all subgroups stratified by age or body mass index percentile. Conclusions: The Weighing Cam may estimate pediatric patients' weights more accurately than the Broselow tape. The Weighing Cam may be useful for pediatric resuscitation in both prehospital and hospital settings.

Comparing the usability of paediatric weight estimation methods: a simulation study

OBJECTIVE

Estimating weight is essential in order to prepare appropriate sized equipment and doses of resuscitation drugs in cases where children are critically ill or injured. Many methods exist with varying degrees of complexity and accuracy. The most recent version of the Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS) course has changed their teaching from an age-based calculation method to the use of a reference table. We aimed to evaluate the potential implications of this change.

METHOD

Using a bespoke online simulation platform we assessed the ability of acute paediatric staff to apply different methods of weight estimation. Comparing the time taken, rate and magnitude of errors were made using the APLS single and triple age-based formulae, Best Guess and reference table methods. To add urgency and an element of cognitive stress, a time-based competitive component was included.

RESULTS

57 participants performed a total of 2240 estimates of weight. The reference table was the fastest (25 (22-28) vs 35 (31-38) to 48 (43-51) s) and most preferred, but errors were made using all methods. There was no significant difference in the percentage accuracy between methods (93%-97%) but the magnitude of errors made was significantly smaller using the three APLS formulae 10% (6.5-21) compared with reference table (69% (34-133)) mainly from month/year table confusion.

CONCLUSION

In this exploratory study under psychological stress none of the methods of weight estimation were free from error. Reference tables were the fastest method and also had the largest errors and should be designed to minimise the risk of picking errors.

An algorithm to improve the accuracy of emergency weight estimation in obese children

Introduction

During medical emergencies in children, accurate and appropriate weight estimations may ultimately influence the outcome by facilitating the delivery of safe and effective doses of medications. Children at the extremes of habitus, especially obese children, are more at risk of an inaccurate weight estimation and therefore may be more at risk of medication errors. The objective was therefore to develop an algorithm to guide accurate emergency weight estimation in obese children.

Methods

Relevant medical evidence was reviewed regarding weight estimation and its role and timing in the resuscitation of obese children. This was used as the basis for a weight-estimation algorithm.

Results

There was limited evidence regarding the way the weight-estimation systems should be used in obese children other than that the dual length- and habitus-based systems were the most accurate. The methods included in the algorithm were the Broselow tape, the Mercy method, parental estimates, the paediatric advanced weight prediction in the emergency room/ eXtra Length-eXtra Large (PAWPER XL) tape and the Traub-Johnson formula. The algorithm recognised several ways in which weight estimation could be tailored to the clinical scenario to estimate both ideal and total body weight.

Conclusion

Weight-estimation in obese children must be conducted appropriately to avoid medication errors. This algorithm provides a framework to achieve this.

Perioperative considerations for airway management and drug dosing in obese children

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Childhood obesity, a phenomenon that is increasing globally, holds substantial relevance for pediatric anesthesia. In particular, understanding the nuances of airway management and drug dosing in obese children can be daunting.

RECENT FINDINGS

Respiratory adverse events and challenges in managing the airway may be anticipated. In addition, drug-dosing strategies for the obese child are complex and poorly understood although recent advances have clarified the optimal dosing for anesthetics in these children.

SUMMARY

Theoretical knowledge, practical skills, meticulous risk stratification and optimal drug regimens are crucial to ensure the safe conduct of anesthesia for obese children.

The accuracy of emergency weight estimation systems in children-a systematic review and meta-analysis

The safe and effective administration of fluids and medications during the management of medical emergencies in children depends on an appropriately determined dose, based on body weight. Weight can often not be measured in these circumstances and a convenient, quick and accurate method of weight estimation is required. Most methods in current use are not accurate enough, but the newer length-based, habitus-modified (two-dimensional) systems have shown significantly higher accuracy. This meta-analysis evaluated the accuracy of weight estimation systems in children. Articles were screened for inclusion into two study arms: to determine an appropriate accuracy target for weight estimation systems; and to evaluate the accuracy of existing systems using standard meta-analysis techniques. There was no evidence found to support any specific goal of accuracy. Based on the findings of this study, a proposed minimum accuracy of 70% of estimations within 10% of actual weight (PW10 > 70%), and 95% within 20% of actual weight (PW20 > 95%) should be demonstrated by a weight estimation system before being considered to be accurate. In the meta-analysis, the two-dimensional systems performed best. The Mercy method (PW10 70.9%, PW20 95.3%), the PAWPER tape (PW10 78.0%, PW20 96.6%) and parental estimates (PW10 69.8%, PW20 87.1%) were the most accurate systems investigated, with the Broselow tape (PW10 55.6%, PW20 81.2%) achieving a lesser accuracy. Age-based estimates achieved a very low accuracy. Age- and length-based systems had a substantial difference in over- and underestimation of weight in high-income and low- and middle-income populations. A benchmark for minimum accuracy is recommended for weight estimation studies and a PW10 > 70% with PW20 > 95% is suggested. The Mercy method, the PAWPER tape and parental estimates were the most accurate weight estimation systems followed by length-based and age-based systems. The use of age-based formulas should be abandoned because of their poor accuracy.

A smartphone application to determine body length for body weight estimation in children: a prospective clinical trial

The aim of this study was to test the feasibility and accuracy of a smartphone application to measure the body length of children using the integrated camera and to evaluate the subsequent weight estimates. A prospective clinical trial of children aged 0-<13 years admitted to the emergency department of the University Children's Hospital Zurich. The primary outcome was to validate the length measurement by the smartphone application «Optisizer». The secondary outcome was to correlate the virtually calculated ordinal categories based on the length measured by the app to the categories based on the real length. The third and independent outcome was the comparison of the different weight estimations by physicians, nurses, parents and the app. For all 627 children, the Bland Altman analysis showed a bias of -0.1% (95% CI -0.3-0.2%) comparing real length and length measured by the app. Ordinal categories of real length were in excellent agreement with categories virtually calculated based upon app length (kappa = 0.83, 95% CI 0.79-0.86). Children's real weight was underestimated by physicians (-3.3, 95% CI -4.4 to -2.2%, p < 0.001), nurses (-2.6, 95% CI -3.8 to -1.5%, p < 0.001) and parents (-1.3, 95% CI -1.9 to -0.6%, p < 0.001) but overestimated by categories based upon app length (1.6, 95% CI 0.3-2.8%, p = 0.02) and categories based upon real length (2.3, 95% CI 1.1-3.5%, p < 0.001). Absolute weight differences were lowest, if estimated by the parents (5.4, 95% CI 4.9-5.9%, p < 0.001). This study showed the accuracy of length measurement of children by a smartphone application: body length determined by the smartphone application is in good agreement with the real patient length. Ordinal length categories derived from app-measured length are in excellent agreement with the ordinal length categories based upon the real patient length. The body weight estimations based upon length corresponded to known data and limitations. Precision of body weight estimations by paediatric physicians and nurses were comparable and not different to length based estimations. In this non-emergency setting, parental weight estimation was significantly better than all other means of estimation (paediatric physicians and nurses, length based estimations) in terms of precision and absolute difference.

Review of commonly used age-based weight estimates for paediatric drug dosing in relation to the pharmacokinetic properties of resuscitation drugs

AIM

To study which weight estimate calculation used in paediatric resuscitation results in optimal drug dosing; Advanced Paediatric and Life Support (APLS) or the UK Resuscitation Council age-based formula.

METHOD

Commonly used drugs used in paediatric resuscitation were selected and a literature search conducted for each drug's pharmacokinetic properties, concentrating on the volume of distribution (Vd). Hydrophobic drugs have a higher Vd than hydrophilic drugs as they distribute preferentially to fat mass (FM). The larger the Vd, the higher the initial dose required to achieve therapeutic plasma concentrations. Actual body weight (ABW) estimates are a good indicator of Vd for hydrophobic drugs as they correlate well with FM. Ideal body weight (IBW) estimates may be a better indicator of Vd for hydrophilic drugs, as they correlate better with lean body mass. This highlights potential variation between ABW and IBW, which may result in toxic or sub-therapeutic dosing.

RESULTS

The new APLS formulae give higher estimates of expected weight for a wider age range. This may be a more accurate reflection of ABW due to increasing prevalence of obesity in children. The UK Resuscitation Council's formula appears to result in a lower estimate of weight, which may relate more closely to IBW.

CONCLUSION

The main drugs used in paediatric resuscitation are hydrophilic, thus the APLS formulae may result in too much being given. Therefore the UK Resuscitation Council's single formula may be preferred. In addition, a single formula may minimize error in the context of a child of unknown weight requiring administration of emergency resuscitation drugs.