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[Greater vigilance in medication for children and adolescent is warranted in Denmark]

Anne-Cathrine Finnemann Viuff1, Lene Bistrup, Pernille Mathiesen

  • 1acviuff@clin.au.dk.

Ugeskrift for Laeger
|November 20, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric medication use is largely unevaluated, with significant pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences in children and adolescents. Increased national vigilance is crucial for safer pediatric medicines.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Drug Development

Background:

  • Limited evaluation of medications for pediatric populations (30% for children/adolescents, 10% for neonates).
  • Significant pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variations exist in infants and children compared to adults and amongst themselves.
  • These variations are influenced by age, weight, and body composition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current state of medication use in pediatric populations.
  • To highlight the knowledge gaps in pediatric pharmacology.
  • To advocate for improved medication safety and efficacy in newborns, infants, children, and adolescents.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on pediatric pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
  • Analysis of medication usage patterns in neonates, infants, children, and adolescents.
  • Discussion of the implications of age- and composition-related differences.

Main Results:

  • A significant proportion of medications used in pediatric populations are unapproved or off-label.
  • Existing data indicates substantial inter-individual variability in drug response within pediatric age groups.
  • Lack of evaluated medications leads to reliance on extemporaneous preparations.

Conclusions:

  • Greater national vigilance and regulatory oversight are essential for pediatric medication safety.
  • Further research is needed to address the unique pharmacological needs of different pediatric age groups.
  • Ensuring evaluated and approved medications will improve therapeutic outcomes for young patients.

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