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Related Concept Videos

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
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In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...
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In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
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Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Ear Plaster Therapy as a Safe and Effective Treatment for Gestational Vomiting
05:33

Ear Plaster Therapy as a Safe and Effective Treatment for Gestational Vomiting

Published on: August 4, 2023

Weight gain in children treated with valproate.

Cynthia Sharpe1, Tanya Wolfson, Doris A Trauner

  • 1Department of Neurosciences, Division of Pediatric Neurology, University of California-San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California 92093, USA.

Journal of Child Neurology
|March 5, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Valproate treatment in children with epilepsy may cause weight gain, but pediatric patients seem less affected than adults. Longer treatment duration showed a negative correlation with weight gain, suggesting a potential protective effect.

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Last Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Ear Plaster Therapy as a Safe and Effective Treatment for Gestational Vomiting
05:33

Ear Plaster Therapy as a Safe and Effective Treatment for Gestational Vomiting

Published on: August 4, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Clinical Pharmacology
  • Epilepsy Management

Background:

  • Valproate is a common antiepileptic drug used in children.
  • Weight gain is a significant adverse effect of valproate, but its prevalence and predictors in pediatric populations are not well-established.
  • Conflicting data exists regarding the incidence of valproate-induced weight gain in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the incidence of weight gain in pediatric patients treated with valproate.
  • To identify potential clinical predictors associated with valproate-induced weight gain in children.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of 94 pediatric patients treated with valproate.
  • Calculation of the slope of body mass index z-scores over time (Deltaz-score) to quantify weight change.
  • Univariate analyses to assess relationships between Deltaz scores and potential clinical predictors.

Main Results:

  • 24.5% of patients (23/94) experienced a Deltaz score >0.25 SD/year, and 12.8% (12/94) had a Deltaz score >0.5 SD/year.
  • Pediatric patients demonstrated a lower propensity for weight gain compared to adult populations.
  • A significant negative correlation was observed between the duration of valproate treatment and the Deltaz score.

Conclusions:

  • Weight gain is a concern with valproate in children, but appears less frequent than in adults.
  • Longer duration of valproate therapy may be associated with less weight gain.
  • No other significant clinical predictors for valproate-induced weight gain were identified in this pediatric cohort.