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Aim: The therapeutic options available to treat neonatal pain are limited, and one alternative for nonopioid systemic treatment is paracetamol. However, pharmacokinetic data from prolonged administration of intravenous paracetamol in neonates are limited. The aim of this study was to present pharmacokinetics after multiple dose of intravenous paracetamol in very preterm infants of <32 weeks' gestation., Methods: Fifteen very preterm infants received five, six-hourly doses of intravenous paracetamol (7.5 mg/kg). Blood samples were taken to measure paracetamol, glutathione and hepatic function, together with urine samples for paracetamol metabolites., Results: A two-compartment pharmacokinetic model gave the best fit for all individual patients and resulted in a predictable pharmacokinetic profile. The estimated pharmacokinetic population parameters were volume of distribution 0.764 ± 0.225 L/kg, elimination rate constant (ke ) 0.117 ± 0.091/h and intercompartment rate constants k12 0.607 ± 0.734/h and k21 1.105 ± 0.762/h., Conclusion: Our study found that multiple doses of intravenous paracetamol resulted in a predictable pharmacokinetic profile in very preterm infants. Increases in postmenstrual age and weight were associated with increased clearance. No evidence of hepatotoxicity was found., (©2014 Foundation Acta Paediatrica. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Eighty-seven participants of the German Collaboratory Study for Children with Phenylketonuria (PKU) presented low plasma, whole blood and hair selenium (Se) values, reduced urinary selenium excretion, and decreased plasma and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity in comparison with a healthy reference group (all figures p < 0.001). Aspartate amino transferase and thyroxine (T4) concentrations in plasma were inversely correlated with the selenium blood values of the PKU children. Somatic measurements showed a negative standard deviation score of body height in the PKU children compared with reference values. Despite the different Se supply, the infants did not present any specific Se deficiency symptoms.