title: Pediatric pharmacokinetics: human development and drug disposition.
abstract: Human development is described by the various anatomic and physiologic changes that occur as the single-celled zygote matures into an adult human being. Concomitant with bodily maturation are changes in the complex interactions between pharmacologic agents and the biologic matrix that is the human body. Profound changes in the manner by which drugs traverse the body during development can have significant implications in drug efficacy and toxicity. Although not a replacement for well-conducted, pediatric, pharmacokinetic studies, an understanding of developmental biology and the mechanisms for drug disposition invariably assists the pediatric clinician with the judicious use of medications in children.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Medical Toxicology, Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA.
authors.forename: Ryan S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Funk
authors.forename: Jacob T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Abdel-Rahman
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D010372:Pediatrics; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000378:metabolism*; D010599:Pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations