Intramuscular

Intramuscular (IM) injections in neonates may be required to administer medications or vaccines.
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IM injections are administered in newborns to deliver medications deeply into the muscle without causing injury to the tiny patient. Skeletal muscle can accommodate larger volumes of medication than subcutaneous tissue, and absorption is faster because muscle tissue is highly vascular. .
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The anterolateral thigh is the preferred site for IM injection in infants under 12 months of age. Medications are injected into the bulkiest part of the vastus lateralis thigh muscle, which is the junction of the upper and middle thirds of this muscle.
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Nursing and medical staff must be familiar with the principles of the administration of medications to an infant. These principles include:
observation of standard precautions,
aseptic techniques, correct drug/dose/time/route/patient practices.