Heparin and Enoxaparin in Infants and Children
Anticoagulation remains one of the most complicated therapeutic areas within pediatric pharmacology. Developmentally-related changes in the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of these agents, in combination with physiologic changes in coagulation during growth, produce significant challenges to optimizing both dosing and monitoring. Several recently published studies of heparin and enoxaparin have added to our understanding of anticoagulation in the pediatric population. This issue of Pediatric Pharmacotherapy will describe these papers as well as recent reviews and some thought-provoking studies conducted in adults that may shape our monitoring of anticoagulation in the future.
Abstract and Introduction
Introduction
Anticoagulation remains one of the most complicated therapeutic areas within pediatric pharmacology. Developmentally-related changes in the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of these agents, in combination with physiologic changes in coagulation during growth, produce significant challenges to optimizing both dosing and monitoring. Several recently published studies of heparin and enoxaparin have added to our understanding of anticoagulation in the pediatric population. This issue of Pediatric Pharmacotherapy will describe these papers as well as recent reviews and some thought-provoking studies conducted in adults that may shape our monitoring of anticoagulation in the future.