What is the easier and more reliable dose calculation for ivPhenytoin in children at risk of developing convulsive status epilepticus, 18 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg?

Table 1 Number of dose calculation errors observed

	18 mg/kg dose		20 mg/kg dose		Effect of dose		Effect of calculator use
	Calculator used	No calculator	Calculator used	No calculator	Calculator used	No calculator	18 mg/kg dose	20 mg/kg dose
Significant error >10%	2/300	28/300	3/300	1/300	NS	*	*	NS
Speed of calculation in seconds (range)	8 (2–36)	18 (2–77)	6 (1–39)	4 (1–44)	**	**	**	NS

Comparison of number of significant errors in drug calculation of > 10%, when asked to calculate 18 mg/kg dose and 20 mg/kg dose with and without the use of the calculator (top row). Speed of calculation (seconds) expressed as median and range for making the calculations when asked to calculate 18 mg/kg dose and 20 mg/kg dose with and without the use of a calculator (bottom row).
* p < 0.001 Fischer exact test.
** p < 0.001 Wilcoxson sign ranked test.

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