Radboud University Medical Center, Lareb, and Maastricht UMC+ have unveiled a platform offering personalized medication dosing for pregnant women. This initiative addresses a critical gap in scientific knowledge, ensuring medication safety and efficacy for the mother and her unborn child. Traditionally, drug dosing during pregnancy has been a complex challenge, with three-quarters of expectant mothers requiring medication yet facing inadequate information about safe usage. The platform marks a significant advancement, presenting the first tailored dose recommendation for the antidepressant sertraline, often used during pregnancy.
With a staggering three out of four pregnant women in need of medication, the risk of adverse effects due to improper dosing is a major concern. An excessive or insufficient dose can significantly impact the health of the unborn child. This new platform is equipped with computer models, placental research data, and safety/efficacy data to offer precise dose recommendations that safeguard the health of both mother and child.
Expert insights into personalized dose recommendations
Saskia de Wildt, the project leader, underlines the importance of understanding the distinct biological changes in women during pregnancy that may necessitate dose adjustments. Charlotte Koldeweij, a medical doctor and Ph.D. candidate, further illuminates the process, explaining how integrating model predictions with pregnancy-specific data forms the foundation for these individualized drug dose recommendations.
The platform not only offers new dose recommendations but also aims to become an international resource, equipping healthcare providers and pregnant women with well-substantiated information. The MELINDA website serves as the hub for this knowledge, summarizing the evidence and considerations that inform the recommended drug doses, thus ensuring the safety and well-being of expectant mothers and their unborn children.
