What is the safest I.M injection muscle for a 6-month-old infant?

The answer to this question is Vastus Lateralis Muscle. The reason for this is simple: this muscle will have the right amount of fat and mass. If the injection would be administered in another area, the needle may run too deep. The usual injection given to infants are vaccines and booster shots. These may be administered before the child reaches 1 year of age.

The moment that the child reaches 1 year old, that is the time when the injection can be administered in the ventrogluteal area. Take note that if the injection is done in another muscle, it will cause extreme pain and discomfort to the infant. This is something that should be avoided.

IM (Intramuscular) Injections are required to manage medications or vaccines. The best and safest muscle for IM Injections in the infants (birth to 12 months of age) is Vastus lateralis muscle in the anterolateral aspect of middle or upper thigh. This is because this muscle has a sufficient amount of mass and fat. If another muscle part of the infants (like Ventrogluteal area or Deltoid muscle or Gluteus maximus muscle) is used, then there might be chances for over-insertion of the needle. As a result, either the vaccination could be compromised or it may cause severe pain in the bone of the infants. Hence, the correct answer is option 1. Vastus lateralis muscle.