medication management:
Children with complex congenital heart disease may require a number of different medications, it is important for you to know that medications are safer the better you know how to handle them.
For the use of medications in your child, always keep in mind: Memorize the name of the medication, this will be very helpful, try to associate the names with simple words.
Things to check when delivering medicines:
Whenever medications are delivered, check:
1- That the name corresponds.
2- That the dose (concentration corresponds).
3- Expiration date.
4- That the container or box is closed and in good condition.
If the medicine box is damp, with faded colors or wrinkled, return it and ask for another one in good condition.
Preparing medicines for use:
Most of the medicines that children require come in tablets, so they must be prepared by diluting them and administering them orally, so that the child drinks the preparation, which is given with a syringe (logically without a needle).
Please note that the water in which you prepare the medicine must be boiled water, you must be very careful to avoid intestinal infections in the child.
It is important that you give the dose and amount of medicine indicated by the pediatrician specialist doctor, if the child is well you should not stop giving the medicine and only stop when the doctor tells you to.
If you plan to move with the child, do not forget to take the medicine with you to administer the doses at the defined times.
Remember that the ideal is to associate the taking of medications with a specific daily activity, so that you do not forget to administer them (for example, after breakfast).
Try to organize the day in such a way that routine activities do not intersect with the child's medication schedule, to avoid forgetfulness.
Key point to highlight regarding prevention:
Children with complex congenital heart disease with palliative management during the interstage period suffer from a situation of hemodynamic compromise secondary to their heart disease regardless of the palliation received and are highly vulnerable, therefore they REQUIRE the administration of PALIVIZUMAB in monthly doses of 15 milligrams per kilogram of Intramuscular weight, for 5 doses, during the interstage period with the aim of reducing the risk of getting sick and dying in case of infection with the Respiratory Syncytial Virus.
This formula will be delivered in the controls by Pediatric Cardiology. In case of difficulty in accessing these consultations, parents/caregivers of children are urged to consult the nearby Pediatric services assigned to them and request the continuation of this important measure.
Do not forget to take this card with you, it may be useful to review it with the Pediatrician who evaluated your child. If in doubt, contact the program to schedule a phone consultation.
