Pediatric Dose Calculator
Calculate safe drug doses for children using weight-based (mg/kg) dosing. Includes 12 common pediatric medications with preset dose ranges, maximum dose caps, safety range alerts, and volume-to-administer calculation.
👶 Calculate Pediatric Dose
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Pediatric Drug Dosing — Principles & Safety
Pediatric drug dosing is fundamentally different from adult dosing. Children are not simply small adults — their pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) change dramatically with age and weight. Weight-based dosing in mg/kg is the standard approach for most pediatric medications.
Weight-Based Dosing (mg/kg)
The prescribed dose in mg/kg is multiplied by the child's actual body weight. For obese children, ideal or adjusted body weight should be used for some drugs — particularly those that distribute into lean tissue. Maximum dose caps prevent overdose in larger children who would otherwise receive adult or supra-therapeutic doses.
- Formula: Dose (mg) = Dose (mg/kg) × Weight (kg)
- Capped dose: min(calculated, maximum adult/pediatric dose)
Age-Based Dosing Reference
For situations where weight is unknown, age-based weight estimation formulas provide a starting point. The APLS formula estimates weight as: Weight (kg) = 2 × (age in years + 4) for children aged 1–10. This calculator uses age to provide a weight estimate when weight is entered but can also estimate weight from age as a guide.
Special Pediatric Populations
- Neonates (0–28 days): Immature liver and kidney function; highly individualized dosing required
- Infants (1–12 months): Rapid developmental changes; frequent dose reassessment needed
- Children (1–12 years): Weight-based dosing with max dose caps
- Adolescents (12–17 years): Adult doses often applicable at standard thresholds
For intravenous pediatric medication, combine this tool with our IV drip rate calculator using a 60 gtt/mL microdrip set. For renal function assessment in children, use our GFR calculator. For newborn assessment see our APGAR score calculator. All pediatric dosing tools are in our Medical tools hub.
⚠️ Pediatric drug dosing carries significant risk. This calculator is for reference and educational purposes only. All doses must be verified by a licensed prescriber or pharmacist using current pediatric formulary guidelines before administration.