Intramuscular Route of Injection

Purpose

1. When rapid action is required. 
2. When drug would prove irritating to the subcutaneous tissue. 
3. Site selected must be where there is a reasonable amount of muscle with no underlying nerves or blood vessels that can be damaged. 

The site selected for children are:

1. Ventrogluteal area. 
2. Vastus lateralis (infant and young child). 
3. Rectus femoris (alternate site) for infant and young child. 
4. Gluteal region (Children who have been walking for 1 year at least). 
5. Deltoid (any age), needle guage usually used is 25-22 guage. 1% inch needle for gluteus maximus.