Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
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Paracetamol (N-acetyl-p-amino-phenol) or acetaminophen has become the most widely used analgesic and antipyretic in children. However, there is a wide discrepancy between the extent to which paracetamol is used and the limited available pharmacological data in small infants. The purpose of this article is to present a review of the current literature regarding the use of paracetamol in neonates and infants with a particular emphasis on pharmacological issues. ⋯ The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of paracetamol differ substantially in neonates and infants from those in older children and adults; hence, dosing should be adjusted accordingly.