Paediatric

Surgical Site Infection

Warning

Review after 48 hours.

Always consider the need for imaging and surgical debridement.   

Take swabs for culture before starting antibacterial treatment.  

Preferred

co-amoxiclav po (see dosing table below)

Age

co-amoxiclav oral dose

1 month to 11 months

0.5mL/kg of 125mg/31mg/5mL suspension TDS

1 year to 5 years

10mLs of 125mg/31mg/5mL suspension TDS

6 years to 17 years

One 625mg tablet TDS

OR

10mLs of 250mg/62mg/5mL suspension TDS if patient cannot take tablets 

 

If severe infection consider:  

co-amoxiclav 30mg/kg (Max 1.2g) iv TDS (BD if 1-2 months old)

Alternative

For penicillin allergy (non-severe and severe)

Under 6 weeks: Discuss with Paediatric ID

 

6 weeks and over: co-trimoxazole 18mg/kg (max 960mg) iv BD in severe infection

Oral switch: co-trimoxazole po, see dosing table below:

Age

co-trimoxazole oral dose

Weeks to 5 Months

120mg BD

Months to 5 Years

240mg BD

Years to 11 years

480mg BD

12 years to 17 years

960mg BD

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 26 Mar 2026

Next review date: 22 Mar 2029

Author(s): AMST.

Approved By: MMTC