Neonatal pharmacology

Abstract

Neonatal physiology differs from that of older children and adults and has a direct implication on the use of anaesthetic drugs. Their clinical pharmacology is dynamic and diverse as there is ongoing maturation of enzymes, anatomical and physiological systems which leads to drug response variability. In order to properly dose anaesthetic drugs in this patient population it is important to appreciate their unique physiological characteristics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and consider potential drug adverse effects. The use of postmenstrual rather than postnatal age has been shown to be a valid measure for maturation. In this article, the unique neonatal pharmacological features pertaining to anaesthesia will be reviewed.