Ibuprofen Dosing for a 27kg Child
For a child weighing 27 kg, administer ibuprofen at a dose of 270 mg (10 mg/kg) per dose, which can be given every 6-8 hours, with a maximum of 3-4 doses per day, not exceeding a total daily dose of 1080 mg (40 mg/kg/day). 1
Weight-Based Dosing Calculation
- The recommended dose range for ibuprofen in children is 5-10 mg/kg per dose 2, 1
- For optimal antipyretic and analgesic effect, clinical trials have demonstrated that 7.5-10 mg/kg is the most effective dose range 2
- For a 27 kg child:
- Minimum dose: 135 mg (5 mg/kg)
- Optimal dose: 270 mg (10 mg/kg) - this is the recommended starting dose
- This dose can be repeated every 6-8 hours 1
Dosing Frequency and Maximum Daily Limits
- Ibuprofen can be administered 3-4 times daily, resulting in a maximum total daily dose of 30-40 mg/kg 1
- For a 27 kg child, this translates to:
- Maximum daily dose: 810-1080 mg per day
- Practical dosing: 270 mg every 6-8 hours (3-4 times daily)
- Maximum reduction in temperature occurs 3-4 hours after administration, with a longer duration of action compared to acetaminophen 2
Safety Considerations
- Ibuprofen is approved for use in children aged ≥3 months with body weight above 5-6 kg 1, 3
- Special attention must be given to hydration status - ibuprofen should NOT be given to patients with diarrhea, vomiting, or dehydration, as these conditions increase the risk of renal damage 3
- Contraindications include: neonates, children with wheezing/persistent asthma, active varicella infection, or known sensitivity to NSAIDs 3
- Gastrointestinal events are rare but can affect both upper and lower digestive tract 3
Clinical Context and Appropriate Use
- Ibuprofen should be the first-line agent for fever management in children 4, though it should primarily be reserved for inflammatory pain rather than routine antipyretic use 3
- Short-term use is considered safe in appropriately selected patients 1
- The oral route is preferred over rectal administration, as rectal absorption is erratic and less reliable, especially in young children 1
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Parents frequently misdose ibuprofen - in one study, 26% of ibuprofen doses given by parents were inaccurate 5
- Weight-based dosing significantly reduces dosing errors compared to age-based dosing 5
- Caregivers should carefully record all dose times when using ibuprofen to avoid accidentally exceeding the maximum recommended daily dose 4