title: The pharmacokinetic evaluation of artemisinin drugs for the treatment of malaria in paediatric populations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of artemisinin combination therapies to treat uncomplicated malaria is growing and, therefore, so is the number of children exposed to these agents. As a result, there is a huge drive to develop paediatric formulations. However, relatively limited data exist regarding the pharmacokinetic properties of these drugs in this vulnerable population.
  
  
  METHODS
  The article reviews the pharmacokinetic data for artemisinin drugs used for the treatment of malaria in paediatric populations. The authors discuss how developmental and environmental factors can produce significant variation in the pharmacokinetic properties of artemisinin drugs. The authors also discuss how this variation may lead to suboptimal therapeutic drug concentrations with implications on efficacy, safety and the development of parasite resistance to these drugs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is currently a lack of published studies on the pharmacokinetics of artemisinin drugs in children and this subject is complicated by several interdependent variables. Therefore, the construction of a systems-based model of this subject should be a priority area in order to identify gaps in current knowledge to ensure their continued effective and safe use.
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, The University of Liverpool, Sherrington Buildings, Ashton Street, L693GE Liverpool, UK. aemercer@liv.ac.uk
authors.forename: Amy E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Mercer
authors.forename: Mariama
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sarr Sallah
mesh_terms: D000962:Antimalarials / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010372:Pediatrics; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; C031327:artemisinin