Paediatric Pharmacology Flashcards
Who are the most sensitive to drugs?
Neonates
What is the risk of using drugs in children?
There is a greater variation of ADRs in children
What are the risks of using medicines in the early postnatal period?
Rapid growth
Highly variable alterations in drug metabolism and elimination
Lower tolerance to ADRs
Higher incidence of therapeutic errors
Difficulty in identifying efficacy and toxicity
What are the problems of using medicine in infancy?
Type and severity of illness is different to neonates but risks are similar
What is the issue with using medicines in toddlers?
Minor illnesses may only need shorter courses of therapy but there are problems with compliance
What is the issue with using medicines in young children?
Enhanced metabolism and excretion so clearance can change significantly
What are the issues in prescribing for adolescents?
Sexual development produces major changes in in body size and composition. Which affect drug metabolism.
Psychological changes and peer pressure result in behaviour such as smoking, alcohol and elicit drug use which can alter drug metabolism.
When are gastric acid and gastric emptying levels in children equal to those in adults?
3 years
When does drug absorption reach adult levels in children?
At about 6-8 months of age
Blood brain barrier in children
- Not fully developed at birth
- Drugs and other chemicals have relatively easy access to the CNS
- Infants especially sensitive to drugs that affect CNS function causing CNS toxicity
What form of metabolism is slow in neonates?
Hepatic metabolism and renal excretion
When is renal excretion in children equivalent to adult levels of renal excretion?
3-6 months old
What metabolic disturbances make children more sensitive to drugs?
Fever
Dehydration
Acidosis
