PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - A Berthe-Aucejo AU - D Girard AU - M Lorrot AU - X Bellettre AU - A Faye AU - J C Mercier AU - F Brion AU - O Bourdon AU - S Prot-Labarthe TI - Evaluation of frequency of paediatric oral liquid medication dosing errors by caregivers: amoxicillin and josamycin AID - 10.1136/archdischild-2015-309426 DP - 2016 Apr 01 TA - Archives of Disease in Childhood PG - 359--364 VI - 101 IP - 4 4099 - http://adc.bmj.com/content/101/4/359.short 4100 - http://adc.bmj.com/content/101/4/359.full SO - Arch Dis Child2016 Apr 01; 101 AB - Objective To study reconstitution and preparation dosing errors of liquid oral medications given by caregivers to children.Methods A prospective observational study was carried out in the departments of general paediatrics and emergency paediatrics at the Robert-Debré Children's University Hospital. An interview with caregivers involved (1) practical reconstitution and preparation of an oral liquid medication from a prescription drawn at random (amoxicillin (Clamoxyl, dosing spoon) or josamycin (Josacine, dose-weight pipette)) and (2) a questionnaire about their use.Results One hundred caregivers were included. Clamoxyl and Josacine were incorrectly reconstituted in 46% (23/50) and 56% (28/50) of cases, respectively, with a risk of underdosing of Clamoxyl (16/23) and overdosing of Josacine (23/28). Dose preparation with the dosing spoon was incorrect in 56% of cases, and in 10% of cases with the dose-weight pipette. Female sex, native French speaker, and age were significantly associated with correct reconstitution. Male sex and medication were significantly associated with correct preparation.Conclusions This study highlights the high incidence of errors made by caregivers in reconstituting and preparing doses of these liquid oral medicines, which are associated with considerable risks of over- and underdosing. Factors associated with these errors have been identified which could help health professionals to optimise their strategy for educating families about the use of liquid oral medications and the need to check that they understand these instructions.