DRUG THERAPY IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN
Physiologic processes that influence pharmacokinetic variables in the infant change significantly in the first year of life, particularly during the first few months. Therefore, special attention must be paid to pharmacokinetics in this age group. Pharmacodynamic differences between paediatric and other patients have not been explored in great detail and are probably small except for those specific target tissues that mature at birth or immediately thereafter (e.g., the ductus arteriosus)
Drug Absorption
Drug absorption in infants and children follows the same general principles as in adults. Unique factors that influence drug absorption include blood flow at the site of administration, as deter-mined by
The boy is suffering from Marasmus which is a chronic malnutrition caused by the deficiency in both the energy and the proteins. Diluting the formula causes the dilution of the nutrients it contains as well. So feeding your baby a diluted formula would cause him to not get enough protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals, which are essential for the normal growth and development for the baby. Since the boy not consuming any solid foods or breast milk
The propose of this experiment is to present more support for the drug-effect theory to simplifying that the development of tolerance subjects can have an ...
It is very disturbing at the number of errors that occur in children who receive medication in the ambulatory care setting. According to Medication Dosage Error...
This paper will then explain the types of physical symptoms associated with NAS in the full-term and premature infant. It discusses the different classes of drugs and the unique symptoms newborns experience with each. Furthermore, it discusses the long-term cognitive and behavioral effects that newborns can experience as they grow. In addition, this paper discusses how Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome is diagnosed and the how the Finnegan neonatal scoring system is used to help physicians determine the severity of NAS in each newborn. Lastly, this paper explains the treatment for NAS and the important role of the nurse when caring for a newborn with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.
Psychotropic medications, also referred to as psychiatric or psychotherapeutic medications, are used to treat psychiatric disorders, such as: depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They have been used for many years and oftentimes come with dangerous side effects. The side effects that often occur in children taking these medications can include: fainting, blurred vision, vomiting, extreme weight gain, and even death ("Seroquel information,” n.d.). The use of psychotropic medication to treat mental disorders in children and adolescents is highly controversial because of ethical viewpoints (i.e. parents “drugging” their children to calm them down) and potentially harmful side effects, but one has to take into consideration whether the risks outweigh the benefits when deciding whether or not to give this type of medication to children.
...ve physical deformities, decreased birth weight and respiratory difficulties. The drugs can also carry adverse behavioral effects, including high pitched crying, abnormal sleep patterns and decreased attention. Studies have determined that some infants can rectify these behavioral inconsistencies, but that the change is dependent upon a responsive caregiver in a nurturing environment.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a psychiatric disorder that causes children to have problems with paying attention, trouble with following instructions, have impulsive behaviors and become easily distracted. Medications, such as Adderall and Ritalin, are used to treat the symptoms of this disorder by helping the patient to focus and pay attention while also curbing their impulsive behavior and hyperactivity. Side effects of these medications are, but not limited to, anxiety, addiction and in some cases psychosis. Proponents of giving ADHD medication to children argue that ADHD is a real disorder in children and the medication does improve the symptoms of the disorder by a large margin as well as being cost effective. Also, not only are the parents happy with the outcome of their children taking the prescribed medication but so are the children themselves. Proponents also argue that by not letting parents of the children, young adults and adults choose to take these prescriptions when diagnosed with ADHD that the medical and psychiatric communities would be in violation of the principle of autonomy. Justice as well would be violated since most of the burden of dealing with all the symptoms caused by this disorder would fall onto those with ADHD and partly on their families. Opponents of giving ADHD medication to children point out that it is not only going to children with ADHD but also being prescribed to those not diagnosed with the disorder as well as the pills being given or sold to other children and young adults. They also claim that the full side effects of ADHD medication are still not known and could have harmful long- lasting side effects on the children taking the medications. In this case, the princip...
The documentary “The Medicated Child” gave me a lot of insight into the lives of children diagnosed with bipolar disorder. When we hear and learn about bipolar disorder, we do not normally think of children. However, there are many children diagnosed with bipolar disorder ranging from all ages. As we saw in the documentary, bipolar disorder can be very hard on both the child and the family, so finding a cure that is effective and safe is important. The video also highlighted how little research there has been on the effectiveness of antidepressants on children.
If used consistently, over time, these medications can reduce or even prevent the patient from any more seizures. Doctors are careful to monitor their patients, especially when they begin taking the anti-epileptic drugs, just in case patients do not respond well to them. Patients should be sure to take their medication as directed and pay close attention to see if they may need to change to a different kind if it causes them to act abnormally. All anti-epileptic drugs can show side effects in some patients, including drowsiness and lethargy, suicidal thoughts, depression, liver damages, birth defects (when taken during pregnancy), and changes in behavior; however, these side effects often disappear after the patient uses them for a few weeks (Simon). Children wh...
The ability to become reflective in practice has become a necessary skill for health professionals. This is to ensure that health professionals are continuing with their daily learning and improving their practice. Reflective practice plays a big part in healthcare today and is becoming increasingly noticed.
Absorption: The absorption of opioid drugs into the bloodstream is largely dependent on the user’s chosen route of administration for the drug, dosage, and lipid solubility. Most NMPOs are taken orally, and absorbed into the bloodstream from the walls of the intestine. Some abusers crush and convert whole prescription pills into powders that can be smoked, snorted, and injected easily. Alternative routes of administration enable users to combine NMPO active compounds with other drugs for a unique effect as well as increase drug bioavailability. More specifically, alternate routes of administration also result in a more potent and rapid delivery of drug to the brain, which often increases to the abuse potential of the drug (Kollins, 2003; Roset et al., 2001). Studies using nationally representative samples report that men use these alternative routes of administration more frequently than women (Back et al., 2011, 2010; Green et al., 2009). Back et al. reported in 2011, a striking disproportion between men and women in this regard; the majority of men in their sample reported frequently snorting (75%), or injecting (42%) their drugs, while women were much more likely to use NMPOs via oral administration (Back, Lawson et al., 2011).
Signs of withdrawal in a NAS baby usually begin between 24 and 48 hours of life, but the sigs of withdrawal peak between 34 and 50 hours of life. Symptoms of withdrawal include crying excessively at a notably high pitch, sleepiness, hyperactive reflexes, tremors, increased muscle tone, excoriation, sweating, fever, mottling, nasal stuffiness and flaring, tachypnea, poor feeding, regurgitation, projectile vomiting, and seizures. Withdrawal is managed first nonpharmicologically (reduce external stimuli- dim lighting, quiet, tight swaddling), then with opioids until the baby is stable enough to begin to be tapered off of the opioids. The course of withdrawal can take anywhere between 4-6 weeks. A lot of information was concluded about the behavior and cognitive abilities being at risk in children of NAS than those without. However self esteem was not apparent in the
10. Zito, J.M., Safer, D.J., dosReis, S., Gardner, J.F., Boles, M., Lynch, F. 2011. Trends in the prescribing of psychotropic medications to preschoolers. Journal of the American Medical Association 283 (8).
Chambers, C. D., Polifka, J. E., & Friedman, J. M. (2008). Drug safety in pregnant women and their babies: ignorance not bliss. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 83(1), 181-183.
Analysis of Aspirin Tablets Aim --- To discover the percentage of acetylsalicylic acid in a sample of aspirin tablets. ----------------------------------------------------------------- In order to do this, the amount of moles that react with the sodium hydroxide must be known. This is achieved by using the method of back titration.