Calculate glucose infusion rate from dextrose concentration, IV rate, and weight. Includes neonatal/pediatric/adult targets, reverse calculation, dextrose concentration table, and hypoglycemia prot...
The Glucose Infusion Rate (GIR) Calculator determines glucose delivery in mg/kg/min from IV dextrose infusions. GIR is used in neonatal and critical care settings to check whether a fluid order is supplying enough glucose without exceeding typical tolerance. The calculator supports common dextrose concentrations, multiple rate units, and patient weight in kg, lbs, or grams.
It also includes reverse calculation for a target GIR, a dextrose concentration comparison table, and unit conversions between mg/kg/min, mg/kg/hr, g/kg/day, and estimated caloric delivery.
GIR is a practical way to compare glucose delivery across patients of different sizes. It helps clinicians check maintenance infusions, TPN glucose delivery, and rate changes after a concentration switch. Using a calculator reduces arithmetic errors when adjusting fluids.
GIR (mg/kg/min) = (Dextrose% × Rate [mL/hr]) / (Weight [kg] × 6) Alternative formula: GIR = (Dextrose concentration [g/L] × Rate [mL/hr]) / (Weight [kg] × 60) Unit conversions: • mg/kg/hr = GIR × 60 • g/kg/day = GIR × 60 × 24 / 1000 • kcal/day from dextrose = g/day × 3.4 Reverse: Rate (mL/hr) = (Target GIR × Weight [kg] × 6) / Dextrose%
Result: GIR = 5.71 mg/kg/min — within neonatal maintenance range (4–8).
GIR = (10 × 12) / (3.5 × 6) = 120 / 21 = 5.71 mg/kg/min. This is adequate for maintenance glucose delivery in a term neonate. The neonate receives approximately 0.49 g/kg/day of glucose (585 kcal/day from dextrose). If the neonate develops hypoglycemia, increase rate to ~16.8 mL/hr for a GIR of 8 mg/kg/min, or switch to D12.5W at the current rate for a GIR of ~7.1 mg/kg/min.
In parenteral nutrition, GIR is one part of the overall carbohydrate prescription alongside amino acids and lipids. It is commonly checked when glucose is being advanced, when fluid volume is limited, or when blood sugar values are outside the expected range.
In at-risk newborns, glucose is usually monitored closely after birth and after any change in the infusion plan. If blood sugar remains low or unstable, the GIR calculation helps guide whether the issue is rate, concentration, or a broader clinical problem.
Early neonatal hypoglycemia can be transitional, but persistent low glucose values need a fuller workup. When that happens, GIR is only one part of the assessment and should be interpreted alongside the clinical exam, feeding history, and laboratory data.
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This worksheet converts dextrose concentration, infusion rate, and body weight into glucose delivery in mg/kg/min using the standard bedside GIR formula. It also provides reverse calculation for a target GIR and converts the same glucose delivery into hourly, daily, and caloric units for easier comparison across infusion plans.
The output is a fluid-order review aid, not a complete neonatal or ICU glucose-management protocol. Glucose targets, access limits, monitoring frequency, and escalation decisions still depend on the bedside context and the service-specific pathway.
Term neonates often need about 4–6 mg/kg/min for maintenance. Preterm infants may need somewhat more. The exact target depends on glucose values, gestational age, and the clinical situation.
GIR (mg/kg/min) = (Dextrose % × Rate in mL/hr) / (Weight in kg × 6). The factor 6 comes from the unit conversions that turn concentration and flow rate into mg/kg/min.
The same fluid rate can deliver very different glucose exposure in a small infant versus a larger patient. GIR adjusts for body size, which makes it easier to compare orders and spot values that are likely too low or too high.
A need for unusually high GIR can suggest that the current infusion plan is not enough to maintain glucose. In that situation, clinicians usually review the glucose trend, infusion source, and the broader clinical picture.
Higher dextrose concentrations are more irritating and are often avoided for longer infusions through peripheral lines. If the required GIR cannot be reached comfortably with the current line, the infusion plan usually needs to be reassessed.
Increase the dextrose concentration. That raises glucose delivery while keeping the infusion rate the same, so it is useful when fluid volume should not change.