🧒 Pediatric Dosing

Pediatric Dose Calculator

Calculate weight-based medication doses for pediatric patients using mg/kg or mcg/kg dosing. Converts between weight units and calculates volume to administer based on available concentration.

⚠️ HIGH-ALERT: Pediatric medication errors are among the most common and dangerous in clinical settings. Always independently verify weight-based calculations with a second nurse or pharmacist before administration.

Patient Weight

Weight Unit

Ordered Dose

Dose Unit

Available Concentration

Concentration Unit

Doses Per Day (if daily)

–

Total Single Dose

Calculation

📋 Common Pediatric Drug Reference Doses

Reference only. Always verify with current formulary and pharmacist. Doses vary by indication, age, and renal/hepatic function.

Drug	Route	Standard Dose	Max Dose
Acetaminophen	PO/PR	10–15 mg/kg q4–6hr	75 mg/kg/day or 4g/day
Ibuprofen	PO	5–10 mg/kg q6–8hr	40 mg/kg/day or 2.4g/day
Amoxicillin	PO	25–45 mg/kg/day ÷ q8–12hr	500mg/dose (mild)
Ondansetron	IV/PO	0.15 mg/kg q8hr	4 mg/dose
Morphine	IV	0.05–0.1 mg/kg q2–4hr	0.1 mg/kg/dose
Midazolam	IV	0.05–0.1 mg/kg	2.5 mg
Atropine	IV	0.01–0.02 mg/kg	0.5 mg min / 1 mg max
Adenosine	IV (rapid)	0.1 mg/kg first dose	6 mg first / 12 mg repeat
Diphenhydramine	IV/PO	1 mg/kg q6hr	50 mg/dose

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is accurate weight so critical in pediatric dosing?

In adults, a 10% weight difference usually doesn't change a standard dose. In pediatrics, every medication is calculated per kilogram, so being off by even 1 kg on a small child can mean a 10–20% dosing error. Always weigh patients in kg at the beginning of every visit and enter it in the chart. Never estimate.

When should I use pounds vs kilograms?

Always work in kilograms for dose calculations. The US commonly uses pounds for communication with families, but all drug dosing uses kg. Convert: kg = lbs ÷ 2.2. Double-check the unit displayed on the scale — many bedside scales can toggle between lbs and kg. Accidental lbs/kg confusion is a documented cause of fatal overdoses.

What does "divided doses" or "÷ q8hr" mean?

"25 mg/kg/day ÷ q8hr" means the total daily dose is 25 mg/kg, divided into doses given every 8 hours (3 doses/day). So a 10 kg child gets 250 mg/day total, given as 83.3 mg every 8 hours. The calculator's "Doses Per Day" field handles this division automatically.

What is the "minimum dose" rule for some drugs?

Some drugs have a minimum dose that applies even if the calculated mg/kg dose would be lower. Atropine is a classic example — the minimum IV dose is 0.1 mg regardless of calculated dose, because a smaller dose can paradoxically cause bradycardia. Always check the maximum AND minimum dose requirements for each drug.