Prescribing for children

Jacqueline van Schoor

Abstract


Paediatricians tell us that infants and children are not little adults and that the manner in which medicines are absorbed, distributed and eliminated from the body is different to that of adult. Neonates, in particular, differ from adults in their response to medicines and special care is needed in the neonatal period (first 30 days of life). At this age, the risk of toxicity from a medicine is increased by inefficient renal function, relative enzyme deficiencies, different target organ sensitivities and inadequate detoxifying systems causing delayed excretion. Medicine doses in the neonate, therefore, should be calculated with great care.

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