Oral Thiazide Diuretics for Hypertension in Children

Initial dose: 0.3 mg/kg once a day, up to a maximum dose 2 mg/kg or 50 mg once a day

Common adverse effects: Dizziness, hypokalemia, increased blood glucose, alkalosis

Severe adverse effects: Cardiac dysrhythmias, cholestatic jaundice, pancreatitis

Contraindications include end stage renal disease and anuria.

For children < 2 years of age: Initial dose 10 mg/kg once a day or 5 mg/kg twice a day (maximum initial dose 20 mg/kg) up to a maximum dose of 375 mg once a day (or 175 mg twice a day)

For children 2–12 years of age: Initial dose 10 mg/kg once a day or 5 mg/kg twice a day, up to a maximum daily dose 20 mg/kg (not to exceed 1000 mg) once a day (or 10 mg/kg or 500 mg twice a day)

For children ≥ 6 months of age: Initial dose 1 mg/kg once a day or 0.5 mg twice a day, up to a maximum daily dose of 2 mg/kg (not to exceed 37.5 mg) once a day (or 1 mg/kg or 18 mg twice a day)