How is pediatric glucagon dosed for hypoglycemia?

• A. 0.5 mg IM (<20 kg) 1 mg IM (>20 kg)
• B. 1 mg IM
• C. 0.1 mg/kg IM
• D. 2 mg IM

Answer: (A)

Dosing pediatric glucagon for hypoglycemia uses fixed, weight-based IM amounts to provide a fast, reliable rise in blood sugar when IV access isn’t available. For children who weigh less than 20 kg, give 0.5 mg IM; for those weighing 20 kg or more, give 1 mg IM. This approach balances safety and effectiveness across a wide pediatric range and keeps administration simple for caregivers or responders in urgent situations.

Sending a higher single dose to all kids (1 mg IM) can under-treat smaller children, while a much smaller per-kilogram amount (0.1 mg/kg) isn’t the standard practice for glucagon in this context. A 2 mg IM dose is unnecessarily high for most pediatric patients and increases the risk of adverse effects without added benefit.