Ceftazidime Dosing for a 5-Year-Old Child
For a 5-year-old child, the recommended dose of ceftazidime is 100-150 mg/kg/day divided every 8 hours. 1
Dosing Guidelines
The Infectious Diseases Society of America provides clear guidance on ceftazidime dosing for pediatric patients:
- For infants and children ≤12 years of age (including 5-year-olds): 100-150 mg/kg/day divided every 8 hours 1
- This means each dose would be approximately 33-50 mg/kg given three times daily
Dosage Calculation Example
For a typical 5-year-old child (approximately 18-20 kg):
- At 100 mg/kg/day: 1800-2000 mg/day total, or 600-667 mg per dose every 8 hours
- At 150 mg/kg/day: 2700-3000 mg/day total, or 900-1000 mg per dose every 8 hours
Clinical Considerations
Infection Severity
- For mild to moderate infections: Consider using the lower end of the dosing range (100 mg/kg/day)
- For severe infections: Use the higher end of the dosing range (150 mg/kg/day)
Special Populations
- For patients with cystic fibrosis, major burns, or febrile neutropenia: Higher doses may be required based on serum level monitoring 1
- For patients with renal impairment: Dose adjustment may be necessary
Administration
- Administer intravenously
- Can be given as intermittent infusion over 30 minutes
- Ensure proper dilution according to manufacturer's instructions
Monitoring
- Monitor renal function during therapy
- Assess clinical response within 48-72 hours
- Watch for signs of adverse effects including rash, diarrhea, or Clostridium difficile infection
Important Caveats
- The standard dosing recommendation from 2009 IDSA guidelines remains current practice 1
- More recent research from 2018 suggests that for infants, more frequent dosing (every 8 hours rather than twice daily) may be necessary to reach target concentrations 2, supporting the three-times-daily dosing recommendation for children
Conclusion
When treating a 5-year-old child with ceftazidime, administer 100-150 mg/kg/day divided into three equal doses given every 8 hours, with the specific dose within this range determined by infection severity.