[Interactions between drugs and food in pediatric age]

Interactions between food and drugs represent a very interesting chapter even in paediatric field, although this subject has not been very treated so far. We have tried to locate common points between pharmacology and elementary metabolism, in order to divide drug-food interactions into five great categories, according to the scheme suggested by Vannucci and Capriati. This scheme is based on the phases in which the interactions take place: 1) before gastroenteric absorption; 2) during gastroenteric absorption; 3) during distribution and storage in tissues; 4) during process of bio-transformation; 5) during excretion. If we want rationally to give a drug, we must exactly know its pharmacokinetic, particularly in paediatrics. In fact, we can avoid detrimental interactions drug-food merely adjusting the pharmacologic dosage to the particular diet of the considered child and vice versa.