[Drug surveillance in children]

Abstract

For the last decades, children have been the victims of severe and spectacular drug adverse reactions. Several risk factors explain the sensitivity and specificity of childhood to drug adverse effects. Newborn baby and infant are particularly affected. Three types of adverse effects which affect more specifically children, should be considered: a) Same effect as in adult but increase in intensity. b) Effects resulting from an interference with maturation and growth processes. c) Delayed reactions appearing a long time after drug exposition. Methods use to detect and collect drug adverse effects in children are not theoretically different from those used for adult patients except being more difficult to implement. A long term follow-up of adverse effects should be systematically organised for new drugs intend for children.