Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

Medicines are an essential part of the treatment of children. They help to reduce morbidity and mortality. It is important to recognize, however, that all medicines have potential side effects and additionally medication errors can occur at any stage (prescription, dispensing, or administration). Due to physiological differences in relation to drug metabolism and the potential protein-displacing effect on bilirubin, neonates are at greater risk of drug toxicity. Drug therapy is an integral part of the management of both pain and sedation in children.