Abstract
Foolproof guidelines and rules for the administration of drug therapy to children are not available. In particular, the use of weight, height, and age as the basis for drug dose calculations can lead to serious errors in dosage. Extreme care must be used in the treatment of pregnant women as most drugs cross the placenta. The potential effects of a drug on the fetus must be weighed against the need for the drug in the mother.
Special attention must be given to the lactating or breast-feeding mother since most drugs are excreted in breast milk and potentially can adversely affect the nursing infant. Where possible, drug therapy in children should be avoided. If drugs are specifically indicated, the dosage should be calculated after considerable scrutiny of the total management and the goals of the management regimen. Careful followup of every child on even the simplest drug is mandatory.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Belton E. M., Jones R. V. Haemolytic anaemia due to nalidixic acid. Lancet. 1965 Oct 2;2(7414):691–691. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- CAM C. [A new epidemic dermatosis of children]. Ann Dermatol Syphiligr (Paris) 1960 Jul-Aug;87:393–397. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- CASPER J., SHULMAN J. Bilateral cortical necrosis of the kidneys in an infant with favism. Am J Clin Pathol. 1956 Jan;26(1):42–47. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/26.1.42. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- CURTIS E. M. ORAL-CONTRACEPTIVE FEMINIZATION OF A NORMAL MALE INFANT: REPORT OF A CASE. Obstet Gynecol. 1964 Feb;23:295–296. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Catz C. S., Giacoia G. P. Drugs and breast milk. Pediatr Clin North Am. 1972 Feb;19(1):151–166. doi: 10.1016/s0031-3955(16)32673-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Fujita E. [Experimental studies on organic mercury poisoning, on the behavior of the Minamata disease causal agent in maternal bodies and its transfer to their infants via either placenta or breast milk]. Kumamoto Igakkai Zasshi. 1969 Jan 25;43(1):47–62. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- JENKINS M. E. HAZARDS TO THE FETUS AND NEWBORN FROM MATERNAL ILLNESS AND MEDICATIONS. J Natl Med Assoc. 1963 Sep;55:373–378. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Taj-Eldin S. Favism in breast-fed infants. Arch Dis Child. 1971 Feb;46(245):121–123. doi: 10.1136/adc.46.245.121. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]