Adverse drug reactions from birth to early childhood

Because they are still developing, neonates and young children are susceptible to developmental defects of neurologic and somatic function because of adverse drug reactions. In neonates, adverse reactions also may occur as a result of secondary exposure to drugs administered to the mother during pregnancy, delivery, and lactation. Morphologic, physiologic, and pathologic differences between adults and young children affect their susceptibility. Excipients in pediatric formulations present additional risks. Many of the important principles and regulations governing therapeutics have been developed as a result of therapeutic disasters and adverse drug reactions in children.