ABSTRACT
Subcutaneous infusions using portable, battery-driven pumps are a valuable method of administering many drugs with minimum trouble to the child. Care and imagination are needed when selecting appropriate routes and preparations. The rectal and buccal routes provide effective and rapid absorption and some children are willing to self-administer drugs this way. Some children have central venous access catheters in place often with several months' experience of their use. Infants in the first year of life are particularly sensitive to opiates, hence a smaller starting dose/kg compared to those in older children is recommended. Doses for children can be complexsince calculations based on weight are often needed, and doses can vary greatly between different children. In situations where oral dosing is difficult rectal dosing is often acceptable. For children, many Canadian pediatricians obtain an approximate 12.5 microgram/hour dose by occluding half the 25 microgram patch.
