Antiarrhythmic Drugs in Children

In different stages of development, from neonates to infants, toddlers, school-age children, and adolescents, there are important differences regarding drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination that ultimately lead to different dosage regimens, and a higher risk of adverse effects in very young children. These differences are multifactorial, ranging from physiological changes to diet, and sometimes different drug formulations. Antiarrhythmic treatment in children brings two important issues that must be addressed: adapting doses and, secondly, the lack of studies in the pediatric population. Currently, for some antiarrhythmic drugs, the dosage regimens used in the pediatric population are still heterogenous.