Infants exhibit increased sensitivity to which group of drugs due to an immature blood-brain barrier?

Infants exhibit increased sensitivity to opioids and hypnotics due to the immaturity of their blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier serves as a protective layer that regulates the substances that can enter the brain from the bloodstream. In infants, this barrier is not fully developed, allowing for greater penetration of certain drugs, particularly those that are lipophilic, such as opioids and hypnotics.

Opioids, used for pain relief, can lead to profound sedation and respiratory depression in infants, who metabolize these drugs differently than older children and adults. Similarly, hypnotics, which are used to induce sleep or sedation, can have unpredictable effects on this vulnerable population. This emphasizes the need for careful dosing and monitoring when administering these types of medications to infants.

Overall, the developmental aspects of an infant's neurological system and the characteristics of specific drugs contribute significantly to their increased sensitivity to opioids and hypnotics.