Weight-Based Pediatric Dosage Calculator
Calculate precise pediatric medication dosages based on child weight (kg/lbs) and specific drug coefficients. Includes safety checks for toxic thresholds.
About
Clinical accuracy in pediatrics relies heavily on weight-based dosing rather than age-based approximations. Children of the same age vary significantly in body mass, leading to potential underdosing or overdose risks if standard age brackets are used. This tool calculates the exact milligram (mg) requirement per administration based on the patient's weight and the specific daily dosage coefficient of the active ingredient.
The calculator compares the input against safe therapeutic windows. It references a database of common pediatric medications to determine the appropriate mg/kg/day range. Safe limits are critical here; exceeding the maximum daily threshold triggers an immediate visual warning in the interface. This system is designed for use by healthcare professionals or parents requiring higher precision for prescribed medications.
Formulas
The core calculation determines the total daily allowance and divides it by the frequency of administration. The volume is derived from the liquid concentration.
1. Total Daily Dose (Dtotal):
Dtotal = W × Rdaily
2. Single Dose Mass (Dsingle):
Dsingle = Dtotalf
3. Liquid Volume (V):
V = DsingleC
Where W is weight (kg), Rdaily is the daily rate (mg/kg/day), f is frequency (doses/day), and C is concentration (mg/ml).
Reference Data
| Medication Class | Common Drug | Standard Dosing Range (mg/kg/day) | Max Daily Limit (mg/kg) | Dosing Interval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analgesic/Antipyretic | Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) | 10 − 15 (per dose) | 75 | Every 4−6 hours |
| NSAID | Ibuprofen | 5 − 10 (per dose) | 40 | Every 6−8 hours |
| Antibiotic (Penicillin) | Amoxicillin (General) | 20 − 40 | 100 | Divided q8h or q12h |
| Antibiotic (Penicillin) | Amoxicillin (Otitis Media) | 80 − 90 | 100 | Divided q12h |
| Antibiotic (Cephalosporin) | Cephalexin | 25 − 50 | 100 | Divided q6h or q12h |
| Macrolide | Azithromycin | 10 (Day 1), 5 (Days 2-5) | N/A | Once daily |
| Corticosteroid | Prednisolone | 1 − 2 | 60 mg (total) | Once daily or divided |
| Antihistamine | Diphenhydramine | 5 | 300 mg (total) | Divided q6h |