The concern expressed in the editorial about prescribing information for children is real.1 Immature organ systems, especially the nervous system, are much more susceptible than mature organ systems to adverse effects by medical agents or other chemicals. In a Danish registry study, the pediatric population was found to be particularly vulnerable.2
Perhaps a combination of translational methods with maturational studies3 can provide a better idea of the mechanisms and effects of new agents in a developing organ.
References
- 1.Peterson B, Hébert PC, MacDonald N, et al. Industry’s neglect of prescribing information for children. CMAJ 2011;183:994–995 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.Aagaard L, Hansen EH. Adverse drug reactions from psychotropic medicines in the paediatric population: analysis of reports to the Danish Medicines Agency over a decade. BMC Res Notes 2010;3: 176. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 3.Savolainen H. Differentiation of human cortical neurons: proteins of subcellular particles. Comp Biochem Physiol B 1973;44:467–472 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
