A–Z Glossary

poisoning

Chemical poisoning occurs when a child is harmed by swallowing, touching, or otherwise being exposed to a hazardous chemical product.

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Protecting baby from external risks

Protecting baby from external risks

Start with the infant’s developmental vulnerability External risks affect babies differently from older children and adults. An infant has a proportionally larger head, weaker neck control, a narrow airway, immature temperature regulation, and no ability to remove themselves from danger. Even before a baby can crawl, reaching, kicking, rolling, and being carried create opportunities for […]

When babies can take medicine

When babies can take medicine

Why age and weight matter Babies are not simply small children. Their liver and kidneys are still maturing, body-water composition differs from that of older children, and their ability to metabolize and eliminate medicines changes rapidly during the first year. These factors can increase the risk of toxicity when a dose is too large, repeated […]

Dosing medicine for babies explained

Dosing medicine for babies explained

Why baby dosing must be individualized Babies are not simply small adults. Their body size, organ maturation, hydration status, feeding pattern, and concurrent illnesses can all affect how a medicine is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated. Pediatric drug products therefore commonly use weight and age as important inputs for dose selection, while some medicines also […]

Preventing Medication Dosing Mistakes

Preventing Medication Dosing Mistakes

Why Infant Medication Dosing Requires Extra Care Infants are particularly vulnerable to medication errors because doses are often calculated by body weight, their organs are still developing, and many medicines are supplied as concentrated liquids. A few milliliters can represent a clinically meaningful difference for a small baby. In addition, the same active ingredient may […]

Childproofing and preventing accidents at home children

Childproofing and preventing accidents at home children

Begin with developmental risk assessment Safety planning should follow what a child can do now and what they are likely to do next. Infants may roll, crawl, and pull to stand before caregivers have adjusted the environment. Toddlers can climb, drag chairs, open low cabinets, and move rapidly toward hazards. Preschool children may understand simple […]

What kids should do in unsafe situations

What kids should do in unsafe situations

Recognize that a situation feels unsafe Unsafe situations do not always look dramatic. A child may notice a threat through fear, discomfort, confusion, pressure, or a strong desire to leave. Warning signs can include an adult asking the child to keep an unusual secret, trying to separate the child from others, making unwanted physical contact, […]

Public restroom safety for children

Public restroom safety for children

Why public restrooms require active safety planning Children have different proportions, balance, strength, and risk perception than adults. A toilet that seems stable to an adult may be difficult for a small child to approach, sit on, or stand from safely. A sink may be too high, a hand dryer may startle a child, and […]