This review was produced by the Stop TB Department and the Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development of the World Health Organization.
This document reviews the published evidence relating to the dosage, toxicity and pharmacokinetics of ethambutol in children and adults and makes a recommendation for a revised daily dose of ethambutol to be used in children. In view of the almost total lack of ocular toxicity in children of all ages receiving ethambutol at doses of from 15-30 mg/kg documented in this review it can be recommended that children of all ages can be given ethambutol in daily doses of 20 mg/kg (range 15-25 mg/kg) and three times weekly intermittent doses of 30 mg/kg body weight without undue concern.
The document is also published in a shorter form in the International Journal of TB and Lung Disease:
Donald PR, Maher D, Maritz JS, Qazi S. Ethambutol dosage for the treatment of children: literature review and recommendations. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease 10(12):1318-1330