Adverse Drug Reactions in Children: Types, Incidence, and Risk Factors.

Abstract

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are common in children but there appears to be a lack of understanding of the condition by some physicians. Objectives: To alert paediatricphysicians to the existence and occurrence of ADRs byclassifying them, reporting their incidences all over the world, and identifying their risk factors in children.

Methods: A MEDLINE search, using Index Medicus and PubMed, for recently published systematic reviews, meta-analysis studies and original researches on ADRs in adults and children was carried out. The search involved both inpatients that developed ADRs while on admission and those admitted as a result of ADRs. Abstracts from all searches were read to determine their relevance, and in most cases, the original article was sourced to provide further information.

Results: The search yielded many relevant articles containing reviews, systematic and meta analysis studies, original researches on in-patients who developed ADRs and many who were admitted for ADRs.

Conclusion: ADRs are global problems affecting children in both developing and developed countries. A higher level of clinical suspicion and vigilance, good knowledge of the predisposing factors, and proper monitoring of at-risk drugs in patients at-risk, may help prevent many ADRs, thus reducing its global incidence.