Pediatrics & Therapeutics
Open Access

Abstract

An audit of overweight and obese children admitted for surgery: Implications for paracetamol overdose

Ria Marwaha

Introduction:

Childhood obesity has been established as one of the most detrimental public health concerns with its prevalence increasing at an alarming rate. Addressing the risks overweight individuals face prior to surgery must be taken into consideration, such as the possibility of being administered the incorrect dosage of paracetamol medication, leading to a susceptibility to analgesic-induced toxicity The aims of this audit include:

1) To identify the prevalence of overweight and obese children admitted for elective surgery at our institution

2) The incidence of intravenous paracetamol administered according to actual body weight in overweight children.

Results include that the average paracetamol dose over prescribed was 130 mg.

Conclusion:  The audit revealed that despite the high prevalence childhood obesity children 2-16 years old, less than a 3^rd of the overweight and obese children were identified. Auditing children presented to the paediatric surgical department has identified the prevalence of childhood obesity. Secondly, it has been understood that there is a misconception into how to dose overweight children with paracetamol as well as there being a lack of understanding into the susceptibility of overweight children are to being overdosed.

Published Date: 2020-08-28;