What does a Pediatric Pharmacologist do?

I've been working in pediatrics for a while now and have heard the term 'pediatric pharmacologist' thrown around. Can someone explain what exactly they do and how their work impacts children's health?

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Great question! A pediatric pharmacologist is a specialist who focuses on the safety and effectiveness of medications in children. They work to ensure that medications are appropriately dosed and administered to infants, children, and adolescents, taking into account the unique aspects of their developing bodies. This is crucial because children are not just small adults - their bodies process and respond to medications differently than adults do. Pediatric pharmacologists may conduct research, develop new medications, or consult with healthcare providers to optimize medication use in children.

That's really interesting! I had no idea there was such a specialized field within pediatrics. Do pediatric pharmacologists work in hospitals or in research settings? Or both?

Pediatric pharmacologists can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, universities, and pharmaceutical companies. In hospitals, they may work as part of a healthcare team to optimize medication use for individual patients. In research settings, they may conduct studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of medications in children. And in pharmaceutical companies, they may help develop new medications and ensure that they are safe and effective for children.