pediatrics
Overview of Drug Treatment in Children
Introduction
Drug treatment in children differs from that in adults, most obviously because pediatric drug dosing is usually based on weight or surface area ( General references ). Doses (and dosing intervals) differ because of age-related variations in drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (see Most drugs have not been adequately studied in children, but, legislation in the US, the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act of 2001 and the Pediatric Research Equity Act of 2003 (both made permanent in 2012 [ General references ]) now provide the statutory and regulatory authority to incentivize and require therapeutic trials in children. As a result of these acts, numerous labeling changes were made to provide dosing, pharmacokinetic, and safety information for children (see also the 