1. What is Fried's Rule?

Fried's Rule is a pediatric dosing formula used to calculate appropriate medication doses for infants and young children based on the adult dose and the child's age in months.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses Fried's Rule formula:

Where:

• \( D \) — Child dose (mg)
• \( AD \) — Adult dose (mg)
• \( A \) — Age in months

Explanation: The formula assumes that a child's medication dose is proportional to their age, with 150 months (12.5 years) representing the transition to adult dosing.

3. Importance of Pediatric Dosing

Details: Accurate pediatric dosing is crucial for medication safety and efficacy in children, as their metabolism and body composition differ significantly from adults.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the adult dose in milligrams and the child's age in months. Both values must be valid positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What age range is Fried's Rule appropriate for?
A: Fried's Rule is typically used for infants and children up to approximately 2 years of age.

Q2: Are there limitations to Fried's Rule?
A: Yes, Fried's Rule is a general guideline and may not account for individual variations in metabolism, weight, or specific drug characteristics.

Q3: Should this be the only method used for pediatric dosing?
A: No, Fried's Rule should be used as a starting point and verified against established pediatric dosing guidelines for specific medications.

Q4: What other pediatric dosing rules exist?
A: Other common rules include Young's Rule, Clark's Rule, and body surface area calculations, each with different applications.

Q5: When should a healthcare professional be consulted?
A: Always consult a healthcare professional before administering any medication to children, especially for prescription drugs.