Why are dosing adjustments necessary in Pediatrics?
Dosing adjustments are crucial in pediatrics due to the significant physiological differences between children and adults. Children are not simply small adults; they have distinct _metabolic rates_, organ maturity levels, and body compositions that affect how medications are processed. Hence, dosing needs to be carefully calibrated to avoid underdosing or overdosing, which can lead to inefficacy or adverse effects, respectively.