Final answer:
The dorsogluteal site is not recommended for IM injections in children under the age of 3 due to the risk of hitting the sciatic nerve and because of the less developed muscle mass in this area.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dorsogluteal site is not recommended for intramuscular (IM) injection in children less than 3 years of age primarily due to a) Risk of hitting the sciatic nerve. The dorsogluteal area, being in the upper quadrant of the buttock, is in close proximity to the sciatic nerve, which poses a significant risk for nerve damage if the needle were to accidentally strike it. Additionally, in young children, the muscle mass in the dorsogluteal area is not fully developed, which further increases the risk of hitting the sciatic nerve. Instead, other sites that offer a larger muscle mass and a reduced risk of damaging major nerves or blood vessels, such as the vastus lateralis muscle in the thigh, are often recommended for this age group.