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Transdermal delivery and the premature neonate
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nottingham, U.K.
Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Transdermal drug delivery offers a convenient, noninvasive alternative for preterm neonates, leveraging enhanced skin penetration. Further development of neonatal systems is needed for controlled drug release.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal pharmacology
- Dermatology
- Drug delivery systems
Background:
- Preterm neonates exhibit increased skin permeability to drugs compared to adults.
- Traditional intravenous and oral drug administration in neonatal intensive care present challenges like discomfort and potential errors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of transdermal drug delivery as a viable alternative for neonatal intensive care.
- To highlight the advantages of transdermal therapy over conventional routes in neonates.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on neonatal skin physiology and drug penetration.
- Analysis of successful transdermal drug administration cases in neonates (e.g., theophylline, caffeine).
- Identification of drugs with potential for neonatal transdermal delivery.
Main Results:
- Transdermal drug delivery is feasible and potentially advantageous for neonates due to enhanced skin penetration.
- Successful therapeutic blood concentrations were maintained for up to 7 days with topical theophylline and caffeine.
- Several other commonly used neonatal intensive care drugs show promise for transdermal application.
Conclusions:
- Transdermal drug delivery presents a promising, noninvasive option for neonatal pharmacotherapy.
- Further research and development are required to optimize neonatal transdermal delivery systems for controlled drug release.