| Gentamicin |
Volume of distribution decreases throughout childhood along with percentage of total body water |
Higher mg/kg doses used in younger children to ensure therapeutic peaks |
| Codeine |
Conversion to morphine difficult to predict along with reduced clearance |
Accumulation more likely. Not recommended for children due to safety concerns |
| Theophylline |
Increased clearance |
Higher mg/kg doses required in infants and children |
| Phenytoin |
Decreased oral absorption due to high stomach pH and decreased protein binding in infants |
Decreased bioavailability, however lower serum concentrations required due to lower protein binding |
| Benzyl alcohol (common excipient) |
Decreased clearance |
Accumulation in infants leading to fatal ‘gasping syndrome’ |
| Levetiracetam |
Increased clearance |
Higher mg/kg dose required in patients up to 12 years of age |
| Methylphenidate |
Decreased clearance |
Lower dose required in children (6–12 years) compared to adolescents |
