Does the Synagis shot HAVE to be given in the leg?

pmkmp

We're hoping to get Aubrey approved the Synagis shot again this year.  We have a bit of a conundrum though... she has hip surgery in 2 weeks, then will be in a cast from waist to ankles for 3 months (that puts us into December).  I'm going to contact her doctors, but just started to think about this and thought I'd see if any of you know?  What about the flu shot and swine flu shot (not sure if we'll give her that one yet) - are they leg shots too?

preemieparent

Olivia has gotten Synagis in the arm.  It just has to be in muscle.

Meg1031

Part of the thing with injections (shots) is that they have to be given in the appropriate sized muscle if it is an intramuscular shot.  

For kids- the most developed and largest muscle they have is the muscle in the upper leg.  Most kids do not have enough muscle in arms to handle it.

Also- it has to do with the volume of the shot.  Like in an adult- I can give a 1cc shot in thier arm no problem, but if I gave a 2-3cc shot- I would do it in the hip/butt area.  

For a small child- usually under 1- I wouldn't even give 1cc in the leg in one shot.  usually we split it into 2 shots of 0.5cc each.  On a larger child- the 1cc in the leg is usually fine.  

You can ask your doc- or a NICU/ICU nurse.  They are most used to giving injections, and can give you some good advice.  I work in an ER- so I don't deal with the smallest babies.