Sciatic Nerve Damage After Vaccine Injection into the Buttocks of an Infant or Child

Preferred site for vaccine injection: deltoid muscle or anterolateral thigh

Risk factors for nerve injury:

(1) large volume injected

(2) highly irritant solution

(3) deep injection near the course of the sciatic nerve

A subcutaneous injection of a small volume of vaccine may be feasible but other sites are preferrable.

If a large volume of vaccine or antiserum must be given, then administration at multiple sites is to be preferred over the buttocks.