What is a potential risk when administering medications to pediatric patients?

When administering medications to pediatric patients, the potential risk of overdosage due to weight differences is critical to understand. Pediatric dosing is often based on the child's weight or body surface area, which can vary significantly as children grow. Unlike adults, children metabolize and respond to medications differently, making precise dosing essential. Administering too much medication can lead to toxic effects, which can be particularly dangerous in younger patients whose organs and systems may not be fully developed.

This concern highlights the importance of calculating dosages carefully and using appropriate formulas that take the child's weight into account. By doing so, healthcare providers aim to ensure that medications are both effective and safe, minimizing the risk of adverse reactions due to excess dosage, which is a prominent risk in this demographic.