What is the recommended dose of amoxicillin (antibiotic) for a child weighing 10.57kg?

Amoxicillin Dosing for a 10.57kg Child

For a child weighing 10.57kg, the recommended amoxicillin dose is 476 mg per day (238 mg twice daily) for mild to moderate infections, or 952 mg per day (476 mg twice daily) for severe infections or areas with high pneumococcal resistance. 1, 2

Standard Dosing by Indication

Mild to Moderate Respiratory Infections

• Standard dose: 45 mg/kg/day divided into 2 doses (every 12 hours) 1, 2
• For a 10.57kg child: approximately 238 mg twice daily 1
• This applies to uncomplicated community-acquired pneumonia and most respiratory tract infections 2

Severe Infections or High-Resistance Areas

• High dose: 90 mg/kg/day divided into 2 doses (every 12 hours) 1, 2
• For a 10.57kg child: approximately 476 mg twice daily 1
• The Infectious Diseases Society of America recommends this higher dosing for severe respiratory infections or regions with elevated pneumococcal resistance 1, 2

Streptococcal Pharyngitis

• Dose: 50-75 mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses 2
• For a 10.57kg child: 264-396 mg twice daily 2

Otitis Media

• Dose: 40-45 mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses 2
• For a 10.57kg child: 211-238 mg twice daily 2

Treatment Duration

• 5-7 days is typically sufficient for uncomplicated respiratory infections 2, 3, 4
• The WHO recommends 5-day amoxicillin treatment for community-acquired pneumonia with high-quality evidence 2
• Recent trials demonstrate that 5-day courses are non-inferior to 10-day courses for uncomplicated pneumonia, with similar clinical cure rates 3, 4
• For streptococcal pharyngitis, standard duration remains 10 days 2

Critical Considerations

Avoid Underdosing

• Underdosing promotes treatment failure and antimicrobial resistance 2
• Amoxicillin dosing recommendations have increased over time due to rising pneumococcal resistance 2

Clinical Monitoring

• Children should show clinical improvement within 48-72 hours 1
• If no improvement occurs within this timeframe, reevaluation is necessary 1
• Complete the full prescribed course even if symptoms improve earlier 1

Common Adverse Effects

• Gastrointestinal disturbances (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting) are most common 1
• Rash, urticaria, and hypersensitivity reactions may occur 1

Practical Administration

• Amoxicillin can be given without regard to meals, though administration with food may improve gastrointestinal tolerability 5
• Oral suspension is typically used for children this age, with concentration of 6 mg/mL commonly available 5
• For 238 mg dose: approximately 40 mL of 6 mg/mL suspension 5
• For 476 mg dose: approximately 79 mL of 6 mg/mL suspension 5