Age group, sex, weight | Needle length (inches) | Needle length (millimeters) |
Anterolateral thigh muscle injections | ||
0 to 28 days (term or preterm) | ⅝* | 16* |
1 through 11 months | 1 | 25 |
1 through 10 years | 1 to 1¼ | 25 to 32 |
11 through 18 years | 1 to 1½ | 25 to 38 |
≥19 years | 1½¶ | 38¶ |
Deltoid muscle injections | ||
1 through 18 years | ⅝* to 1 | 16* to 25 |
≥19 years | ||
Male or female | ||
<70 kg (152 lbs) | 1Δ | 25Δ |
Female | ||
70 to 90 kg (152 to 200 lbs) | 1 to 1½ | 25 to 38 |
>90 kg (200 lbs) | 1½ | 38 |
Male | ||
70 to 118 kg (152 to 260 lbs) | 1 to 1½ | 25 to 38 |
>118 kg (260 lbs) | 1½ | 38 |
* If skin is stretched tightly and subcutaneous tissues are not bunched.
¶ Some experts recommend a 1-inch (25 millimeter) needle if the skin is stretched tightly and subcutaneous tissues are not bunched.
Δ Some experts recommend a ⅝-inch (16-millimeter) needle for adults who weigh <60 kg (130 lbs); if used, skin must be stretched tightly (do not bunch subcutaneous tissues).Do you want to add Medilib to your home screen?