Module WB0308       Pharmacology in the Fetus and Newborn 

Reading Material

Objectives

1.       Discuss the effect of fetal/neonatal maturity on drug dose response

2.       Define pharmacokinetic terms

3.       Identify factors that influence drug action/pharmacokinetics

4.       Summarize how drugs are eliminated from the body

5.       Review factors that affect biotransformation of drugs

6.       Describe the effect of disease on drug disposition

7.       Explain the importance of drug receptors and their function

Content Outline

1.       Effects of Fetal/Neonatal Immaturity on drug action

2.       Basic principles and terms of pharmacokinetics

          2.1     Drug absorption

          2.2     Transport mechanisms

          2.3     Bioavailability

          2.4     Drug distribution

3.       Factors affecting drug distribution

          3.1     Body water

          3.2     Lipid mass

          3.3     Transporters

          3.4     Systemic and regional hemodynamics

          3.5     Protein binding

4.       Drug elimination

          4.1     Biotransformation

                   4.1.1  Phase 1

                   4.1.2  Phase 2

                   4.1.3  Factors affecting biotransformation

          4.2     Renal excretion of drugs

                   4.2.1  Glomerular filtration

                   4.2.2  Active tubular transport

                   4.2.3  Passive tubular reabsorption

5        Effect of disease on drug disposition

          5.1     Cardiovascular disease

          5.2.    Renal disease

          5.3     Liver disease        

6.       Sites of drug action

          6.1     Receptors