Recent advances in neonatal pharmacotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
To provide commentary and reviews and brief discussions in controversial or innovative recent advances in neonatal pharmacotherapy. To discuss cutting edge drug delivery systems that may become useful in neonatal drug delivery in the future.


METHODS
Articles were identified through searches of MEDLINE (1990-October 2005), key articles in the authors' files, and in some cases, through data generated and/or published by the author of a particular topic.


METHODS
Article selection and relevance to the topics under discussion was determined by individual authors.


RESULTS
Therapeutic strategies addressed in this review include the use of hematopoietic growth factors including a simulated amniotic fluid preparation containing these growth factors for neonates with selected gastrointestinal problems, erythropoietin for neuroprotection following perinatal asphyxia, drug therapy advances in treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), evaluation of advances in transdermal drug delivery, and its potential application to neonates and advances in the treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) of the newborn.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite being over 30 years old, the practice of neonatology is as much of an art as a science. Advances in the basic science research have improved our understanding of use of pharmacologic agents in the premature and full-term neonate including drug disposition pathways. Expanding our knowledge on issues such as physiology of hematopoietic factors, the pharmacologic responses of conditions such as PDA and PPHN, and newer technologies for drug administration, as well as other pharmacologic responses in the neonate are vital in the development of safe and efficacious treatments for neonates. Many questions remain unanswered, and every clinician must make an effort to contribute to the knowledge and understanding of pharmacotherapy in this patient population.
Sarasota Memorial Hospital, All Children's Hospital/West Coast Neonatology, Sarasota, FL, USA.
Darlene A
DA
Calhoun
S Narasimha
SN
Murthy
Bobby G
BG
Bryant
Sherry A
SA
Luedtke
Varsha
V
Bhatt-Mehta
D000818:Animals; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage
D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations