Zinc Syrup Dosing for a 1-Year-Old Weighing 8kg
For a 1-year-old infant weighing 8kg, administer 0.8 mg (800 μg) of elemental zinc daily for routine supplementation, which translates to approximately 0.8 mL of zinc syrup if using a standard 1 mg/mL concentration. 1
Standard Dosing Calculation
- For infants 3-12 months of age, the recommended dose is 100 μg/kg/day of elemental zinc 1, 2
- For this 8kg infant: 100 μg/kg/day × 8 kg = 800 μg (0.8 mg) daily 1
- The American Academy of Pediatrics specifically recommends 100 μg/kg/day for 1-year-old children 1
Important Dosing Transition at 12 Months
- After 12 months of age, the dosage decreases to 50 μg/kg/day, with a maximum of 5 mg/day for routine supplementation 1, 3
- This represents a significant reduction in weight-based dosing as children transition beyond infancy 1
Administration Guidelines
- Administer zinc between meals rather than with food for optimal absorption 1, 3
- Divide the dose throughout the day for better tolerability 1, 3
- Avoid giving zinc with foods high in phytates, which significantly reduce absorption 1, 3
Special Circumstances Requiring Higher Doses
For Documented Zinc Deficiency
- Therapeutic doses of 0.5-1 mg/kg/day (4-8 mg daily for this 8kg infant) should be given for 3-4 months 1, 4
For Acute Diarrhea
- If treating diarrhea in zinc-deficient populations: 10 mg elemental zinc daily for 10-14 days for infants under 6 months, or 20 mg daily for children 6 months to 5 years 4, 5
- This is substantially higher than routine supplementation and should not be confused with maintenance dosing 3
Critical Safety Considerations
- Monitor for vomiting, which is the most common adverse effect of zinc supplementation 6
- For children on long-term zinc supplementation, monitor serum zinc levels and alkaline phosphatase periodically 1, 3
- Do not exceed recommended doses—acute toxicity can occur with excessive zinc administration 1, 2