What is the recommended dose of cephalosporin antibiotics for pediatric patients?

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Last updated: February 5, 2026View editorial policy

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Cefosulbac Pediatric Dosing

I cannot provide specific dosing recommendations for "Cefosulbac" as this medication does not appear in standard pediatric infectious disease guidelines, FDA-approved drug labels, or established medical literature. The evidence provided contains information about cefazolin (which the FDA label 1 refers to as "Cefazolin for Injection"), but no medication specifically named "Cefosulbac" exists in the reviewed sources.

Critical Clarification Needed

The term "Cefosulbac" may represent:

  • A regional or brand name not recognized in North American guidelines
  • A combination product (possibly cefoperazone-sulbactam, which is used in some countries)
  • A transcription error for another cephalosporin

Standard Pediatric Cephalosporin Dosing (If Applicable)

If you are referring to a third-generation cephalosporin, the following evidence-based dosing applies:

Cefotaxime

  • Standard dose: 150 mg/kg/day divided every 8 hours for most infections 2
  • Alternative regimen: 75 mg/kg every 8 hours may be adequate for mild-to-moderate infections based on pharmacokinetic modeling 3
  • Maximum consideration: Up to 300-400 mg/kg/day for highly resistant organisms 2

Ceftriaxone

  • Standard dose: 50-100 mg/kg/day given every 12-24 hours 2
  • Preferred for outpatient parenteral therapy due to convenient once-daily dosing 2

Ceftazidime

  • Neonates (0-4 weeks, <1200g): 100 mg/kg/day divided every 12 hours 4
  • Neonates (>7 days, ≥1200g): 150 mg/kg/day divided every 8 hours 4
  • Infants and children ≤12 years: 100-150 mg/kg/day divided every 8 hours 4

Cefazolin (from FDA label)

  • Pediatric dose: 25-50 mg/kg/day divided into 3-4 equal doses for mild-to-moderate infections 1
  • Severe infections: Up to 100 mg/kg/day 1
  • Not recommended in premature infants and neonates due to lack of safety data 1

Common Pitfalls

  • Do not use cefepime in neonates <2 months—the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends ceftazidime or cefotaxime instead 5
  • Verify the actual medication name before prescribing, as confusion between cephalosporins can lead to inappropriate dosing
  • Adjust for renal impairment in all pediatric patients with reduced creatinine clearance 1

Recommendation: Clarify the exact medication name with the prescriber, pharmacy, or drug manufacturer before administration to ensure patient safety.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Guideline

Ceftazidime Dosing Guidelines

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

Guideline

Cefepime Dosing for Pediatric Patients

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2026

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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