How should pediatric casualties be dosed for medications in the field?

• A. Dosing is weight-based; use pediatric formulations when possible; adjust routes and volumes accordingly.
• B. Dosing is the same as adults, scaled by age.
• C. Dosing uses height-based estimates only.
• D. Dosing uses a fixed standard dose regardless of size.

Answer: (A)

Dosing pediatric casualties in the field must be determined by body weight, not by age or height. Weight-based dosing accounts for how drug distribution, metabolism, and clearance differ with size, helping to hit the intended therapeutic level while avoiding overdose. Using pediatric formulations when possible helps ensure accurate amounts and safer administration, and adjusting the route and volume to the child’s ability to take the medicine keeps treatment practical in austere conditions. Relying on age or height alone can misestimate the true size of the child—two kids of the same age or similar height can have very different weights—so these methods are less reliable and can lead to underdosing or overdosing. A fixed standard dose disregards individual size entirely and is not appropriate for children.