Affiliation:
1. Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Sefako Makgatho Health Science University, Pretoria 0208, South Africa
2. Preclinical Laboratory for Drug Delivery Innovations, College of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
3. School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 3J5, Canada
4. School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Science University, Pretoria 0208, South Africa
Abstract
Paediatric infectious diseases contribute significantly to global health challenges. Conventional therapeutic interventions are not always suitable for children, as they are regularly accompanied with long-standing disadvantages that negatively impact efficacy, thus necessitating the need for effective and child-friendly pharmacotherapeutic interventions. Recent advancements in drug delivery technologies, particularly oral formulations, have shown tremendous progress in enhancing the effectiveness of paediatric medicines. Generally, these delivery methods target, and address challenges associated with palatability, dosing accuracy, stability, bioavailability, patient compliance, and caregiver convenience, which are important factors that can influence successful treatment outcomes in children. Some of the emerging trends include moving away from creating liquid delivery systems to developing oral solid formulations, with the most explored being orodispersible tablets, multiparticulate dosage forms using film-coating technologies, and chewable drug products. Other ongoing innovations include gastro-retentive, 3D-printed, nipple-shield, milk-based, and nanoparticulate (e.g., lipid-, polymeric-based templates) drug delivery systems, possessing the potential to improve therapeutic effectiveness, age appropriateness, pharmacokinetics, and safety profiles as they relate to the paediatric population. This manuscript therefore highlights the evolving landscape of oral pharmacotherapeutic interventions for leading paediatric infectious diseases, crediting the role of innovative drug delivery technologies. By focusing on the current trends, pointing out gaps, and identifying future possibilities, this review aims to contribute towards ongoing efforts directed at improving paediatric health outcomes associated with the management of these infectious ailments through accessible and efficacious drug treatments.
Funder
National Research Foundation
South African Medical Research Council
Department of Higher Education and Training, South Africa