Evaluation of weight-based dosing of unfractionated heparin in obese children.

Objective: To determine whether pediatric patients with obesity receiving weight-based dosages of unfractionated heparin (UFH) exhibit an enhanced response when dosed by actual body weight compared with nonobese patients as assessed primarily by the frequency of supratherapeutic anticoagulation. Secondary measures included UFH doses associated with therapeutic anticoagulation.

Study Design: This single-institution retrospective case-matched study included children with and without obesity, matched on a 1:1 basis, who received a weight-based continuous infusion of UFH.

Gentamicin dosing for pediatric patients with congenital heart disease.

Pediatric patients with congenital heart disease can have physiologies that alter the pharmacokinetics of certain medications, such as aminoglycosides. Currently, no literature describes the appropriate dosing of aminoglycoside antibiotics for infants and children with congenital heart disease. Patients were identified through the pharmacy and laboratory computer systems.