Paediatrics Drug Delivery Systems: Conventional Approaches, Novel Technologies and Future Perspectives

Drug delivery in children can be challenging due to the physiological changes that occur during growth and development, different pharmacokinetics and lack of suitable formulations to administer to children. Formulation specific to children are required to ensure correct dosing with safety and to encourage compliance. This review discusses the physiological and pharmacokinetic factors that affect paediatric drug delivery, as well as dosage form issues such as poor taste, difficulty swallowing and non-compliance. Traditional and novel drug delivery systems will be discussed. These include oral, parenteral, transdermal, topical and pulmonary routes of drug delivery are described. The use of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems including liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles and nano emulsion will be discussed and how they can improve drug solubility, increase bioavailability, improve targeting and control drug release. Patient centred drug delivery, excipients, incorrect dosing and regulation will be discussed. Challenges still phase the development of drug for children such as limited clinical data in children, incorrect dosing, stability issue and manufacturing problems. New methods of drug delivery such as 3D printed, tailor made dosage form, genomic guided drug delivery and digital monitoring have potential to improve paediatric drug delivery, however it's vital to develop safe, effective and palatable dosage for children, with evidence clinical trials. Collaboration between researcher healthcare professional, pharmaceutical companies and regulatory bodies and are key to improving treatment outcomes in children.