[Do neonates have the same pharmacotherapeutic opportunities as adults?]

The use of drugs in pediatrics, specially in neonates, poses two main problems: the legal conditions for their use in this population and the lack of commercial formulations suitable for pediatric dosing.

We reviewed the drug prescriptions of all patients admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit over 46 days, chosen at random between September and November 2005.

A total of 2,558 drug prescriptions were issued, corresponding to 62 different drugs. Overall, 5.2 % of prescriptions were for drugs not authorized for use in pediatric patients. In neonates, this percentage increased to 8.4 %. A total of 22.6 % of the drugs were not authorized for use in neonates. Formulations prepared by the hospital pharmacists were required in 17.2 % of drug prescriptions.

In the last few years, information on drugs in pediatric patients has increased. However, continued efforts are required in this field so that drugs with proven clinical efficacy in pediatric patients become authorized for use in this population. Because of the lack of suitable commercial formulations for use in pediatric patients, preparation of formulations by the hospital pharmacist and the use of drug dilutions at the bedside are mandatory, both of which are a source of possible preparation and administration errors.