What is the recommended dose of ibuprofen (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) for a 7-month-old infant weighing 17 pounds?

Ibuprofen Dosing for a 7-Month-Old, 17-Pound Infant

For a 7-month-old infant weighing 17 pounds (7.7 kg), administer 77 mg of ibuprofen per dose, which can be given every 6-8 hours as needed, with a maximum of 3-4 doses in 24 hours. 1

Weight-Based Calculation

• Convert weight to kilograms: 17 pounds = 7.7 kg
• Apply standard pediatric dosing: 10 mg/kg per dose 1, 2
• Calculate dose: 7.7 kg × 10 mg/kg = 77 mg per dose
• Dosing interval: Every 6-8 hours 1
• Maximum daily doses: 3-4 times per day 2
• Maximum total daily dose: 30-40 mg/kg (231-308 mg for this child) 2

Practical Administration

• Oral suspension concentration: Most ibuprofen infant suspensions are 50 mg/mL 3
• Volume to administer: Approximately 1.5 mL per dose (to deliver ~75 mg, which is practical rounding)
• Administer with or after feeding: May improve gastrointestinal tolerability 3
• Avoid rectal route: Erratic absorption in young infants makes this route unreliable 2

Critical Safety Considerations

Ensure adequate hydration before and during ibuprofen use - this is the single most important safety measure in infants. 2, 4

• Contraindications in this age group:

  • Dehydration or risk of dehydration 4
  • Active vomiting or diarrhea 4
  • Body weight below 5-6 kg 2
  • Wheezing or asthma 4
  • Varicella infection 4

• Short-term use only: Ibuprofen is considered safe for short-term use (typically 2-3 days) in infants older than 3 months when properly dosed 2

Common Dosing Errors to Avoid

Parents frequently misdose antipyretics, particularly in infants under 1 year of age. 5

• 62% of parents give inaccurate acetaminophen doses and 26% give inaccurate ibuprofen doses 5
• Infants are at 1.4 times higher risk of receiving incorrect doses compared to older children 5
• Weight-based dosing reduces errors: Parents who dose by weight rather than age are significantly less likely to misdose (RR 0.71) 5
• Document all doses carefully: Record exact times to prevent accidentally exceeding maximum daily doses 3

When NOT to Use Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen should not be used routinely as an antipyretic in infants - reserve it for inflammatory pain conditions. 4

• Fever alone is not an indication unless accompanied by significant discomfort 4
• For simple fever management, consider alternatives or non-pharmacologic measures first 4
• Ibuprofen is the drug of first choice specifically for inflammatory pain in children 4

Efficacy Timeline

• Peak temperature reduction: Occurs 3-4 hours after administration 6
• Duration of action: Longer than acetaminophen, providing 6-8 hours of effect 6
• Dose-response relationship: Linear over the 5-10 mg/kg range 6