We know that drugs can work differently in adults and in children. But in newborns? We know their physiology is different, and that can affect how drugs are metabolized and processed; for instance, their heart doesn't respond as readily to drugs meant to increase its force. But neonates are often excluded from studies of medicinal products. Clinicians need more specific guidelines as to how to study and use drugs in this vulnerable population. Robert Ward, professor emeritus of pediatrics at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, chaired a consortium of experts and created a White Paper to guide clinical trials of medicines in neonates. Hear him discuss the current guidelines and his recommendations in this episode.
