What is the recommended dose of Ceftriaxone (Ceftriaxone) for a pediatric patient weighing 7.3kg?

Ceftriaxone Dosing for 7.3kg Pediatric Patient

For a 7.3kg pediatric patient, the standard ceftriaxone dose is 50-75 mg/kg/day (365-548 mg/day), administered once daily or divided every 12 hours, depending on the severity and type of infection. 1, 2

Standard Dosing by Infection Severity

Less Severe Infections

• 50-75 mg/kg/day given once daily or divided every 12 hours 1, 2
• For this 7.3kg patient: 365-548 mg/day
• Examples include skin/soft tissue infections, uncomplicated pneumonia 1, 2

Severe Infections

• 50-100 mg/kg/day given once daily or divided every 12-24 hours 1, 2
• For this 7.3kg patient: 365-730 mg/day
• Examples include severe pneumonia, sepsis, complicated intra-abdominal infections 1

Meningitis

• 100 mg/kg/day divided every 12-24 hours (maximum 4g daily) 1, 2
• For this 7.3kg patient: 730 mg/day
• This higher dose is critical for adequate CSF penetration 1, 2

Special Considerations for This Weight Range

Age-Related Dosing

• If this patient is a neonate >7 days old and >2000g: 50-75 mg/kg/day every 24 hours 1
• If neonate ≤7 days old: 50 mg/kg/day every 24 hours 1
• Critical warning: Do not use ceftriaxone in hyperbilirubinemic neonates due to risk of bilirubin encephalopathy 1, 2

Administration Route

• Intravenous administration over 30 minutes is standard for pediatric patients 2
• For neonates specifically, administer IV over 60 minutes to reduce risk of bilirubin encephalopathy 2
• Intramuscular injection is painful and should be injected deep into large muscle mass 1, 2

Specific Infection Examples

Bacteremia or Arthritis

• 50 mg/kg/day (365 mg for this 7.3kg patient) given daily for 7 days 3, 1

Gonococcal Infections (if <45kg)

• Uncomplicated infections: 125 mg IM single dose 3
• Bacteremia/arthritis: 50 mg/kg/day for 7 days 3

Community-Acquired Pneumonia

• 50-100 mg/kg/day once daily or divided every 12-24 hours 1
• For this patient: 365-730 mg/day depending on severity 1

Maximum Dose Limitations

• Total daily dose should not exceed 2 grams for non-meningitis infections in pediatric patients 1, 2
• For meningitis, maximum is 4 grams daily 1, 2
• This 7.3kg patient is well below these maximum thresholds 1, 2

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Never use calcium-containing diluents (Ringer's, Hartmann's) as particulate formation can occur 2
• Avoid in hyperbilirubinemic neonates - can displace bilirubin from albumin binding sites 1, 2
• Do not mix with aminoglycosides, vancomycin, or fluconazole in same IV line - flush thoroughly between administrations 2
• For neonates, always use the 60-minute infusion time, not the standard 30 minutes 2