Calculating the correct medication dosage for pediatric patients is a critical aspect of child healthcare. Due to their smaller size and developing physiology, children cannot be dosed using the same methods as adults. Pediatric dosing often relies on a patient's weight, and sometimes body surface area, to ensure efficacy and safety. The most common method uses a dose based on milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of body weight.
The fundamental formula used in this calculator is:
Total Daily Dose (mg) = Patient Weight (kg) × Dose per Kilogram (mg/kg)
Once the total daily dose is determined, it needs to be administered in an appropriate volume of medication based on its concentration. The formula for this is:
Volume to Administer (mL) = Total Daily Dose (mg) / Drug Concentration (mg/mL)
This calculator helps simplify these calculations, reducing the risk of medication errors. It's essential for healthcare professionals to verify these calculations with a second practitioner, especially in critical care settings.
Key Components:
Patient Weight (kg): This is the primary factor in determining the appropriate medication dose for a child. Accurate weight measurement is crucial.
Dose per Kilogram (mg/kg): This is the prescribed amount of medication for each kilogram of the patient's body weight. This value is typically provided by the prescribing physician based on clinical guidelines and the specific medication.
Drug Concentration (mg/mL): This indicates how much of the active drug is present in a given volume of the liquid medication. For example, 10 mg/mL means there are 10 milligrams of the drug in every milliliter of liquid.
Important Considerations:
Always double-check your calculations.
Consult with a pharmacist or senior clinician if unsure.
Ensure the correct units are used throughout the calculation.
This calculator is a tool and does not replace professional medical judgment.
function getDrugConcentrationValue(concentrationString) {
var value = parseFloat(concentrationString.split('mg_ml')[0]);
return isNaN(value) ? 0 : value;
}
function calculatePediatricDose() {
var weightKg = parseFloat(document.getElementById("patientWeight").value);
var dosePerKg = parseFloat(document.getElementById("dosePerKg").value);
var concentrationString = document.getElementById("drugConcentration").value;
var drugConcentration = getDrugConcentrationValue(concentrationString);
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("doseResult");
if (isNaN(weightKg) || weightKg <= 0) {
resultDiv.textContent = "Please enter a valid patient weight.";
return;
}
if (isNaN(dosePerKg) || dosePerKg <= 0) {
resultDiv.textContent = "Please enter a valid dose per kilogram.";
return;
}
if (isNaN(drugConcentration) || drugConcentration <= 0) {
resultDiv.textContent = "Please select a valid drug concentration.";
return;
}
var totalDailyDoseMg = weightKg * dosePerKg;
var volumeToAdministerMl = totalDailyDoseMg / drugConcentration;
// Format the result to a reasonable number of decimal places
var formattedVolume = volumeToAdministerMl.toFixed(2);
resultDiv.textContent = formattedVolume + " mL";
}