Hydrocortisone (injection) Pediatric Dose Calculator

Q: How many mL of 100 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL (50 mg/mL) for an 11.8 kg child?

For acute severe asthma — IV, when oral prednisolone cannot be taken, an 11.8 kg child (about 2 years) needs 47.2 mg per dose — 0.94 mL of 100 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL (50 mg/mL), every 6 hours by slow IV injection. Recalculate with the child's actual weight.

Q: From what age can hydrocortisone be given?

Age range in PediaRx: Birth – adult (emergency). Each indication can have its own age and weight limits, shown with its regimen.

Q: Is hydrocortisone safe in pregnancy?

Legacy FDA category C. Short courses for acute severe illness are appropriate in pregnancy.

Weight-based hydrocortisone dosing for children — 4 mg/kg/dose · every 6 hours by slow IV injection · max 100 mg/dose. Enter age and weight for the dose in mg and injection volume.

Category: CorticosteroidAges: Birth – adult (emergency)Updated: 2026-09-28For: cliniciansEmergency use

Pediatric dosing

Acute severe asthma — IV, when oral prednisolone cannot be taken Emergency

4 mg/kg/dose · every 6 hours by slow IV injection · max 100 mg/dose

Duration: Until oral prednisolone can be taken

Eligibility: ≥1 month

Oral prednisolone is as effective when it can be swallowed and kept down.

Adrenal crisis / acute adrenal insufficiency — IV or IM bolus Emergency

<1 year: 25 mg per dose · immediate bolus

Duration: Initial dose

1 year to <6 years: 50 mg per dose · immediate bolus

Duration: Initial dose

≥6 years: 100 mg per dose · immediate bolus

Duration: Initial dose

Give immediately (IM if no IV access), treat hypoglycaemia and shock, then continue hydrocortisone by infusion or every 4–6 hours per the endocrine protocol.

Hydrocortisone (injection) dose chart by age and weight

Acute severe asthma — IV, when oral prednisolone cannot be taken. Weights are WHO/IAP reference medians for age — always dose on the measured weight.

Computed with the PediaRx dose engine from the regimen above; caps and age limits applied.
Age	Weight	Dose (mg)	100 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL (50 mg/mL)	Frequency
15 days	3.8 kg	Below minimum age
1 month	4.3 kg	17.2 mg	0.34 mL	Every 6 hours by slow IV injection
3 months	6.1 kg	24.4 mg	0.49 mL	Every 6 hours by slow IV injection
6 months	7.6 kg	30.4 mg	0.61 mL	Every 6 hours by slow IV injection
9 months	8.6 kg	34.4 mg	0.69 mL	Every 6 hours by slow IV injection
1 year	9.3 kg	37.2 mg	0.74 mL	Every 6 hours by slow IV injection
18 months	10.6 kg	42.4 mg	0.85 mL	Every 6 hours by slow IV injection
2 years	11.8 kg	47.2 mg	0.94 mL	Every 6 hours by slow IV injection
3 years	14.1 kg	56.4 mg	1.1 mL	Every 6 hours by slow IV injection
4 years	16.2 kg	64.8 mg	1.3 mL	Every 6 hours by slow IV injection
5 years	17.5 kg	70 mg	1.4 mL	Every 6 hours by slow IV injection
6 years	19 kg	76 mg	1.5 mL	Every 6 hours by slow IV injection
8 years	24.4 kg	97.6 mg	2 mL	Every 6 hours by slow IV injection
10 years	31.1 kg	100 mg	2 mL	Every 6 hours by slow IV injection
12 years	39.4 kg	100 mg	2 mL	Every 6 hours by slow IV injection

Strengths in the calculator

100 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL (50 mg/mL) (Intravenous / Intramuscular)

Different strength on your bottle? Use “Different strength on the bottle?” under the result.

Safety

Contraindications and cautions

Systemic infection needs concurrent antimicrobial cover; do not delay steroids in adrenal crisis.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Legacy FDA category C. Short courses for acute severe illness are appropriate in pregnancy.

Compatible.

Clinical notes

Anaphylaxis: steroids are no longer part of routine emergency treatment (Resuscitation Council UK 2021).

Adult and adolescent (≥40 kg) dose

100 mg — 100 mg IV/IM, then every 6 hours (or 200 mg/24 h infusion in adrenal crisis) (max 100 mg per dose).

Other names and brands

Also known as hydrocortisone sodium succinate, HC.

USA: Solu-Cortef
UK: Solu-Cortef

Brand examples only — products and strengths vary by country. Always check the label.

Frequently asked questions

What is the hydrocortisone dose for children?

Acute severe asthma — IV, when oral prednisolone cannot be taken: 4 mg/kg/dose · every 6 hours by slow IV injection · max 100 mg/dose. Usual duration: Until oral prednisolone can be taken. Always use the child's measured weight and check the strength on the bottle.

How many mL of 100 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL (50 mg/mL) for an 11.8 kg child?

For acute severe asthma — IV, when oral prednisolone cannot be taken, an 11.8 kg child (about 2 years) needs 47.2 mg per dose — 0.94 mL of 100 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL (50 mg/mL), every 6 hours by slow IV injection. Recalculate with the child's actual weight.

From what age can hydrocortisone be given?

Age range in PediaRx: Birth – adult (emergency). Each indication can have its own age and weight limits, shown with its regimen.

Is hydrocortisone safe in pregnancy?

Legacy FDA category C. Short courses for acute severe illness are appropriate in pregnancy.

Sources and editorial process

BNF for Children — Hydrocortisone — NICE / BMJ Group / Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Adrenal insufficiency — emergency management guideline — British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes

Dosing data last updated 2026-09-28. PediaRx is built and maintained by Dr. Shounak Pal, MBBS (Medical Officer, Government of West Bengal, India — founder and developer of PediaRx). Every regimen is encoded with explicit units, maximum doses and age/weight limits and is checked by automated tests before publication. Report an error: hello@pediarx.com.

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Clinical disclaimer: reference tool for qualified health professionals. Verify every dose against current guidance and the product label before prescribing.

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