Journal of Pharmacy Practice

The purpose of this article is to provide the pharmacist with direction in providing pharmaceutical care to pediatric patients. A major component of the provision of pharmaceutical care is minimizing the risk for adverse drug effects such as medication errors. Dosage calculation errors are the most common type of medication error encountered in pediatric pharmacy practice. It is imperative that the pharmacist verify the dosages for all medication orders with appropriate dosage references. Establishing basic procedures for the processing of pediatric medication orders can reduce the risk for medication errors. One of the challenges in pediatric pharmacy practice is providing a drug product that is suitable for administration to infants and small children, because many of the commercial products are not. This may entail preparing a liquid formulation from a solid dosage form or instructing the caregiver on how to extract the contents out of a liquid-containing capsule. Providing the caregiver with suggestions on ways to improve the palatability of the medication can make a significant impact on patient compliance. The pediatric population is a very dynamic group of individuals who are constantly changing from the time of conception through adolescence. The physiological changes that occur with normal growth and development alter the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of therapeutic agents. The pharmaceutical care team must be versed in the unique aspects of these patients to best meet their drug therapy needs and achieve the desired therapeutic outcomes. As the expert in pharmacotherapy and pharmaceutics, the pharmacist is a key member of the pharmaceutical care team. Copyright © 1996 by W.B. Saunders Company

The prevention of life-threatening childhood infections through vaccination is a remarkable achievement in the history of medicine. Although 98% of all American children are fully immunized at age 5 to 6 years because state laws require it for school entry, in 1991 less than half of children younger than 2 years of age were up to date for their diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP); polio; measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), and Haemophilus influenzae type b (HIB) immunizations. These children are at greatest risk for life-threatening infection. The last decade has seen many changes in the recommendations for routine childhood immunization. The resurgence of measles led to the addition of a second measles immunization. The introduction of the HIB vaccine has had a significant impact on the incidence of dreaded childhood meningitis. The effort to reduce adverse events associated with the pertussis component of the DTP vaccine resulted in the development of a new pertussis vaccine. The oral polio vaccine (OPV) is still being used with much debate on the merits of the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). The hepatitis B vaccine was recently incorporated into the childhood immunization schedule in an attempt to eliminate this costly and devastating disease. The childhood disease chickenpox may become a disease of the past with the recent introduction of the varicella vaccine. With the multiplicity of new vaccines on the horizon, childhood immunization schedules will become more complex. To ameliorate an increase in the number of injections and physician visits, major efforts are currently being devoted to the development of combination vaccines, and the latest routine childhood immunization schedule has made every attempt to provide flexibility. The Children's Vaccine Initiative (CVI) defines a goal of developing a single supervaccine that "could be given once at or near birth, provide immunity for life, require no boosters, permit storage without refrigeration, obviate the use of needles and syringes and protect against as many as 20 diseases at once." To achieve this goal, enormous investments in research and development will be necessary. In the meantime, pharmacists can do much to encourage good immunization practices in their daily interaction with patients, and in so doing further the goals of pharmaceutical care. Copyright © 1996 by W.B. Saunders Company

Over the years, extensive research has led to the development of a new generation of anticonvulsant medications for the treatment of patients with intractable seizure disorders. Currently three new drugs have been approved in the United States since 1993, and many others have entered into the later stages of development. The purpose of this article is to discuss the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, clinical use, adverse effects, and dosage and administration of felbamate, gabapentin, lamotrigine, and vigabatrin. Felbamate is indicated in children as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial and generalized seizures secondary to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Because of life-threatening adverse effects, including aplastic anemia and hepatotoxicity, felbamate is reserved for use only when the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks of toxicity. Presently, gabapentin is indicated as adjunctive treatment of partial seizures with or without generalization in patients older than 12 years of age. To date gabapentin has not been studied in patients younger than age 12 years. Even though lamotrigine is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for pediatric use, preliminary clinical trials show promising results in the treatment of partial and absence seizures as well as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Many studies have evaluated the use of vigabatrin for the treatment of intractable seizures. Seizure types most effectively treated include partial seizures, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and possibly infantile spasms. Lamotrigine and vigabatrin should be used with caution in patients with myoclonic seizures because an increase in seizure frequency may occur. Copyright © 1996 by W.B. Saunders Company

The provision of pharmaceutical care to the patient undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an important evolving concept. Pediatric resuscitation and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) presents a particularly challenging situation for the practicing pharmacist. Etiologies of pediatric arrests include pulmonary conditions such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, respiratory distress syndrome, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, and a myriad of accidental factors. Important initial determinations on arriving at a pediatric arrest are described, such as determining the correct weight of the patient, assessing the need for vascular access and/or intubation, and establishing the "code" leader. Recent American Heart Association guidelines for the pharmacotherapy of pediatric ACLS are discussed in detail. Included are recommendations on oxygen delivery, routes of fluid and medication administration, recent changes in epinephrine dosing, and guidelines for the proper use of adjunct medications. A detailed description of a method of using adult emergency drug syringes in the pediatric arrest is provided. Proper use of this method can expedite drug dispensing in an arrest, minimize the potential for needle-stick injury, and optimize the delivery of a patient-specific dose of medication. A "mock code" program is described that includes involvement with pharmacists, nurses, medical residents, and respiratory therapists. This program provides a hands-on role-playing model of a simulated pediatric arrest and serves as a valuable teaching tool for those charged with the responsibility of patient care during an actual arrest. While the ultimate role of the pharmacist in the pediatric arrest continues to be defined, developing the competency to provide pharmaceutical care in this clinical setting can be extremely rewarding. Copyright © 1996 by W.B. Saunders Company

Pain management in children was previously ignored primarily because of myths and misconceptions about childhood pain. Undertreatment of pain was once a common and accepted practice. However, in recent years, with increased knowledge and understanding coupled with improved pain assessment tools, health care providers are more conscious about providing adequate and safe analgesia to children. Because of the differences in patient response to various pharmacological agents, it is important to understand the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences of the various agents. Choices of pain management should be individualized, and adjustments should be made based on the patient's clinical condition. Conscious sedation before diagnostic and therapeutic procedures should be approached with caution. Deaths and complications related to conscious sedation therapy have prompted the development of guidelines for safer and more effective pharmacological interventions. The recently published guidelines include recommendations for skilled personnel, continuous monitoring, appropriate use of drugs, and ability to manage unforeseen complications. Selection of the most appropriate sedatives should take into consideration the type of procedure, the patient's clinical condition, and the desired level and duration of consciousness. Similar to pain management, individualization is crucial. This article will discuss the principles of pain management and conscious sedation in children. Facts and scientific findings will be presented to discredit the myths and misconceptions often associated with pediatric pain. Various pain assessment tools will be summarized. The newly published sedation guidelines set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs will be briefly discussed. Furthermore, commonly used agents will be reviewed. Copyright © 1996 by W.B. Saunders Company

Cystic fibrosis is one of the most common lethal inherited diseases among the Caucasian population, with an incidence of 1 in 2,000. With the progress made in the management of the disease, a once-regarded childhood illness has now an improved survival rate of up to 30 years. It is a multifaceted disease affecting a number of organ systems primarily pulmonary and gastrointestinal tract, with the former leading to most of the mortality. Therefore, good pulmonary toilet, including daily chest physiotherapy and appropriate antibiotic treatment for acute pulmonary exacerbations, remains the cornerstone of therapy. Disease-specific pharmacokinetics seen in these patients require special dosing considerations specifically for antibiotics to ensure adequate serum concentrations. In addition, bronchodilators, steroids, and mucolytics also play a role. With respect to the gastrointestinal tract, pancreatic insufficiency occurs and requires enzyme replacement. Intestinal obstruction may occur as early as the neonatal period, as "meconium ileus," and recur throughout the patient's lifespan. More recent modalities including chloride-channel facilitators, antiproteases, and gene therapy may hold promise to further improve the survival and quality of life in these individuals. The pharmacists' role is vital, especially with the unique pharmacokinetic considerations specific to this population and the complexity of medications necessary for appropriate management of the disease. Copyright © 1996 by W.B. Saunders Company