Drug Disposition in Neonates and Infants

There exist vast differences in the physiological and behavioral characteristics between adults, children, and neonates. Developmental changes occur at the various stages of human life that are known to affect drug disposition. It is, thus, relevant that these differences are considered in drug dosing regimens; the need for age-dependent drug dosing cannot be overemphasized. Indeed, individual pharmacokinetic parameters of drugs vary in neonates and infants compared to adults. In this chapter, the various factors affecting the pharmacokinetics of drugs in neonates and infants are highlighted. Approaches to age-related dosing regimens in neonates and infants are also emphasized. The chapter will discuss how physiological features and ontogeny affect drug pharmacokinetic parameters in neonates and infants.