Liquid Drug Dosage Measurement Errors with Different Dosing Devices

An observational study was carried out to determine the magnitude of dosing errors made by parents, the most-preferred drug delivery device and the association of age, gender, education of the caregiver and number of children with the proportion of accurate doses. After enrolment, parents of children aged 6–60 mo were instructed to measure 5 ml of syrup paracetamol using any of the devices (stainless steel spoon, disposable plastic syringe, dosing cup with etched markings) displayed. The quantum of measured dose was confirmed using a calibrated glass cylinder. Error was defined as over 10% variation around the prescribed dose. Of 386 participants, 72 (18.65%) committed error, with 58 (15.02%) and 14 (3.62%) committing mild and moderate errors, respectively. Measuring cup (270, 69.95%) was the commonest device chosen. Use of syringe was associated with greater accurate measurements (P < 0.05) with only 3 (3.57%) committing error compared to 18 (56.25%) and 51 (18.88%) committing error with spoon and cup, respectively. On multivariate analysis, device was the only factor significantly associated with accuracy in measurements.