IV Paracetamol Dosing for a 10-Month-Old, 7kg Infant
For a 10-month-old infant weighing 7kg, administer 7.5 mg/kg per dose of IV paracetamol every 6 hours, which equals 52.5 mg (5.25 mL of the standard 10 mg/mL solution) per dose, with a maximum daily dose of 30 mg/kg/day (210 mg/day). 1
Weight-Based Dosing Algorithm
- Infants <10 kg (including your 7kg patient): The dose is 7.5 mg/kg per dose administered every 6 hours 1
- Maximum daily dose: 30 mg/kg/day (which equals 210 mg/day for a 7kg infant) 1
- Dosing interval: Every 6 hours (four times daily maximum) 1
Practical Calculation for This Patient
- Single dose: 7kg × 7.5 mg/kg = 52.5 mg per dose 1
- Volume to administer: 52.5 mg ÷ 10 mg/mL = 5.25 mL per dose 1
- Maximum daily dose: 7kg × 30 mg/kg = 210 mg/day (52.5 mg × 4 doses) 1
Administration Guidelines
- Standard concentration: IV paracetamol comes as 10 mg/mL solution 1
- Dilution option: Can be diluted in 0.9% normal saline or 5% dextrose if smaller volumes are needed for neonates, though at 5.25 mL this is typically not necessary 1
- Infusion time: Administer over 15 minutes 1
Critical Safety Considerations
- Weight documentation is essential: Always verify and document the patient's actual weight on the drug chart before prescribing, as dosing errors commonly occur when weight is not recorded 2
- Avoid adult dosing: Never use the standard adult 1g dose for children <50kg, as this leads to significant overdosing and potential hepatotoxicity 2
- Overdose threshold: Single doses exceeding 10 times the recommended dose (>75 mg/kg) are potentially hepatotoxic 3
- Chronic overdose risk: Exposures greater than 140 mg/kg/day for several days carry risk of serious liver toxicity 3