Pediatric Dose Calculators

Calculating the correct medication dosage for a child is important to ensure safety and efficacy. The dose for a child is always calculated based on their weight or body surface area (BSA) rather than just their age. This depends on children’s metabolism and body composition which varies from child to child.

How many types of Child Dose Calculators are there?

There are a lot of ways to calculate a Pediatric dose. Let’s see some of the most popular ones being used by professionals

Clark’s Rule
Young’s Rule
BSA Method
Fried’s Rule
Weight-Based Dosing Calculator

Clark’s Rule – Pediatric Dose Calculator

This is best known as a pediatric dose calculator.

Clark’s Rule

Child’s Weight (lbs): Adult Dose (mg):

Clark’s Formula:

(Child’s weight in pounds / 150) × Adult dose

Example:

If a child weighs 30 pounds and the adult dose is 500 mg:

If a child weighs 30 pounds and the adult dose is 500 mg: Child’s Dose = (30 / 150) × 500
= 0.2 × 500
= 100 mg

Young’s Rule – Pediatric Dose Calculator

This calculator is based on age of the child. It will help you calculate dose of a child aged more than 2 years.

Young’s Rule

Child’s Age (years): Adult Dose (mg):

Young’s Rule Formula

Example

BSA – Pediatric Dose Calculator

Calculate dose based on body surface area.

Formula

(Child’s BSA in m2)/1.73 × Adult dose

BSA Method

Child’s Height (cm): Child’s Weight (kg): Adult Dose (mg):

Fried’s Rule – Pediatric Dose Calculator

Calculate dose of a child in age taken in months divided by 150 (average) multiplies with adult dose of the required drug.

Formula

(Child’s age in months/150)×Adult dose

Fried’s Rule

Child’s Age (months): Adult Dose (mg):

Weight-Based Dosing – Pediatric Dose Calculator

To calculate the dose of a child based on the weight available.

Formula

Dose per kg×Child’s weight in kg

Weight-Based Dosing

Dose per kg (mg/kg): Child’s Weight (kg):

Calculators are super important when doctors and nurses figure out how much medicine a child needs. Since kids are smaller and still growing they need just the right amount of medicine based on their size and age. If they get too little it might not work and if they get too much it could be harmful. Calculators help make sure they get the perfect amount quickly and without mistakes. This is really helpful especially when doctors are busy or need to act fast. So calculators make sure kids get the right medicine safely.