Despite the progressive increase in obesity and associated chronic diseases in children, there is limited evidence on the optimal dosage of most medications for obese children and adolescents. This review analyzes the influence of pathophysiological changes on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and evaluates the body size descriptors used in clinical practice. Patients with obesity present significant pathophysiological alterations, such as a substantial increase in fat/lean mass ratio, increased blood flow and cardiac output, and changes in plasma protein binding, which may affect the volume of distribution of drugs and the adjustment of the loading dose. In these patients, the distribution volume of hydrophilic drugs appears to slightly increase, while it varies widely—depending on the drug and other factors such as affinity for other tissues—for lipophilic drugs. On the other hand, a reduction in tissue perfusion, alterations to liver enzyme activity, and an increase in liver and kidney mass and blood flow have been reported, indicating a possible modification in drug clearance and necessitating adjustments to maintenance regimens. Furthermore, while there are multiple size descriptors, it is difficult to establish a single dosing strategy for the obese population, given the lack of studies confirming the extent of changes in pharmacokinetic processes, which will also depend on the properties of each drug, such as liposolubility and elimination pathways. New strategies need to be developed to characterize pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes in the obese pediatric population in order to optimize dosing regimens and improve the safety and efficacy of treatments.

Aim: Oxytocin is a hormone involved in the mechanism of breastfeeding, uterine contractions, and social relationships. Atosiban (competitive oxytocin antagonist) is one of the most commonly used tocolytics for the threat of preterm labor in Europe. The aim of this study is to determinate if the administration of atosiban has any influence in the type of feeding in the term newborn at discharge. The secondary objective is to verify its effectiveness for the prevention of preterm delivery and in the possibility of applying treatment to complete lung maturation. Materials and Methods: Retrospective cohort study carried out in a tertiary University Hospital distinguished by WHO-UNICEF as a Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. The analysis included 264 women exposed to atosiban during a period of 4 years. One hundred met inclusion criteria. Unexposed infants born right after and before the exposed ones were selected as the not exposed subgroup (n = 200). Results: Among women treated with atosiban, 82% maintained exclusively breastfed (EBF), 8% had mixed breastfeeding, and 10% had formula feeding at discharge. In the nonexposed group, 82% maintained EBF, 9.5% had mixed breastfeeding, and 8.5% had formula feeding at discharge (p = 0.84). 97.5% of pregnant women treated with atosiban received corticosteroid for lung maturation, and 49.5% completed gestation with term newborns. Conclusion: There were no significant differences in the type of feeding at discharge between the atosiban group and the nonexposed group. In most cases, the administration of tocolytic therapy allowed to complete lung maturation.

The objectives of this consensus document were to establish a standardized list of high-risk medications for the pediatric population and to compile the recommended practices for their safe use with the aim of promoting the implementation of medication error prevention programs in health care centers. The Ministry of Health, the Spanish Institute for Safe Medication Practices, the Spanish Association of Pediatrics and the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy and regional administration representatives participated in the project. The Recommendations for the Safe Use of High-Risk Medications was used as reference, and its contents adapted and expanded to address specific issues in the pediatric population based on the current evidence. The document provides a reference list of high-risk medicines in pediatric care. It recommends that health care centers, in addition to prioritizing interventions in relation to anticoagulants, insulins, opioids, neuromuscular blockers, IV potassium, oral methotrexate and cytostatic agents, also consider interventions for IV adrenergic agonists, aminoglycosides and vancomycin, drugs for moderate and minimal sedation, parenteral nutrition and IV paracetamol in pediatric patients. The document emphasizes the need to implement multiple safe practices at every stage of the medication use process, prioritizing those with the greatest effectiveness, and involving pediatricians, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals. It also highlights the importance of active involvement by patients and caregivers. Finally, it provides general guidelines common to all these medications, as well as specific practices for each prioritized pharmacological group or medication, which should be combined to enhance pediatric patient safety. Developing programs to increase the safety of high-risk medications in pediatric patients is essential in order to reduce medication errors in this vulnerable population. The implementation of safe practices should be accompanied by continuous monitoring and periodic updates to guarantee effectiveness and strengthen the safety culture in health care centers.

The objectives of this consensus document were to establish a standardized list of high-risk medications for the pediatric population and to compile the recommended practices for their safe use with the aim of promoting the implementation of medication error prevention programs in health care centers. The Ministry of Health, the Spanish Institute for Safe Medication Practices, the Spanish Association of Pediatrics and the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy and regional administration representatives participated in the project. The Recommendations for the Safe Use of High-Risk Medications was used as reference, and its contents adapted and expanded to address specific issues in the pediatric population based on the current evidence. The document provides a reference list of high-risk medicines in pediatric care. It recommends that health care centers, in addition to prioritizing interventions in relation to anticoagulants, insulins, opioids, neuromuscular blockers, IV potassium, oral methotrexate and cytostatic agents, also consider interventions for IV adrenergic agonists, aminoglycosides and vancomycin, drugs for moderate and minimal sedation, parenteral nutrition and IV paracetamol in pediatric patients. The document emphasizes the need to implement multiple safe practices at every stage of the medication use process, prioritizing those with the greatest effectiveness, and involving pediatricians, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals. It also highlights the importance of active involvement by patients and caregivers. Finally, it provides general guidelines common to all these medications, as well as specific practices for each prioritized pharmacological group or medication, which should be combined to enhance pediatric patient safety. Developing programs to increase the safety of high-risk medications in pediatric patients is essential in order to reduce medication errors in this vulnerable population. The implementation of safe practices should be accompanied by continuous monitoring and periodic updates to guarantee effectiveness and strengthen the safety culture in health care centers.