An excipient is something that is added to to a drug before it is given to a patient. It can help dissolve the powder or prevent bacteria growing, among other things. Some of these excipients are known to be harmful. It is understood that if children are being given a lot of medications, they may be exposed to many potentially harmful excipients during their stay in hospital. However, the issue remains that there is a lack of scientific evidence regarding medicine use among neonates. The degree of excipient use in neonatal (baby < 28 days old) medicine is mostly unknown. The aim of this project is to evaulate the drugs that are given to premature babies born <32 weeks over a 12 month period. It will then determine the excipients that are contained in each drug. This project will calculate each baby's total exposure to these potentially harmful excipients.
