Acetaminophen elimination kinetics in neonates, children, and adults

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Abstract
The elimination of acetaminophen (AP AP) following an oral dose of 10 mg/kg in newborn infants, children, and adults was compared. Urinary excretion of unchanged AP AP, APAP‐suljate, and APAP‐glucuronide was complete within 30 hr at all ages. Higher percentages of the dose were excreted in the urine as APAP‐suljate in neonates (0–2 days old) and children (3–9 yr old) than in 12‐yr‐old children and adults. A pharmacokinetic analysis indicated that the higher rate of APAP‐suljate formation in younger age groups apparently compensated for a deficiency in glucuronide formation. No dramatic age‐related differences in the overall elimination rate constant for APAP were observed despite the quantitative changes in the metabolic pathways during early childhood.