Developmental differences absorption

Developmental differences in drug absorption between neonates, infants and older children are summarized in Table 1. It must be recognized that the data contained therein reflect developmental differences which might be expected in healthy pediatric patients. Certain conditions and disease states might modify the function and/or structure of the absorptive surface area(s). GI motility and/or systemic blood flow can further impact upon either the rate or extent of absorption for drugs administered by ex-travascular routes in pediatric patients. 

Acute toxicity data also can suggest the extent of absorption through different routes of exposure. If, for example, systemic toxicity or death can occur as a result of significant absorption of the chemical through dermal exposure, it must be assumed that dermal exposure also can cause reproductive or developmental toxicity. 

The general application of epidemiologic methods to developmental toxicity is described below and followed by a discussion of laboratory studies in rodents and rabbits. The bulk of data available in developmental toxicology are based on these protocols. Since the difference in human and animal response appears to rest in large part on differences in behavior, physiologic parameters, and xenobiotic absorption, distribution, metabolic fate, and elimination, a brief description of transplacental pharmacokinetics is also provided. 

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