Obstetric clinical pharmacology: coming of age.

Little is known about changes in drug disposition and effect during pregnancy. In this issue, which is devoted to maternal and child health, Andrew and colleagues from the University of Washington present research describing significant changes in the disposition of amoxicillin during pregnancy. The clinical significance is the potential for inadequate dosing during pregnancy of compounds that are renally cleared. Further research is needed to guide the appropriate, safe, and effective medical treatment of pregnant women. In 2003, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) formed the Obstetric Pharmacology Research Units Network. This network serves in part as a proof-of-concept platform, to demonstrate that clinical investigations can be performed in pregnant women.