Developmental factors influencing interactions of drugs.

The author has attempted to summarize the current state of knowledge regarding 
dispositional processes in infants and children of various ages. The traditional 
processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion are described not only 
in newborn infants but also in infants and children of other 
age groups. Knowledge of the effects of age and the effects 
of diseases, which are often unique to each stage of postnatal 
development, upon drug action and disposition is a vital and necessary 
prerequisite to a discussion of interactions of drugs of abuse in 
the pediatric population. It is essential that the developmental status of 
the host be taken into consideration when examining interactions of drugs 
in infants and children. The mechanisms of interactions are similar to 
those seen in the adult patient. The developmental status of the 
pediatric patient also plays a significant role in the manifestations of 
disease seen in sick infants and children. These are often profound 
and consequently may play a major role in modifying drug action 
and interaction. 