What is the GIR?
Enter the dextrose concentration, the infusion rate, and the weight to get the glucose infusion rate (GIR) in mg/kg/min, with the same amount of glucose per day and the fluid volume. For information only. This is not medical advice or a diagnosis. Do not use it to make treatment decisions without a clinician. No licensed clinician has reviewed this page.
- GIR (mg/kg/min)
- 4.76
10% dextrose at 10 mL/h for 3.5 kg gives a glucose infusion rate of 4.76 mg/kg/min.
- Glucose per day (g/kg/day)
- 6.86
- Fluid (mL/kg/day)
- 68.6
GIR (mg/kg/min): 4.76. 10% dextrose at 10 mL/h for 3.5 kg gives a glucose infusion rate of 4.76 mg/kg/min.
GIR in mg/kg/min
This calculator gives general information only. It is not medical advice and does not replace a doctor or other health care provider. Talk with a professional about your results. Terms of use
How to calculate
Works out the glucose infusion rate (GIR) in mg/kg/min from the dextrose concentration, the infusion rate in mL per hour, and the weight, with the fluid volume in mL/kg/day.
Example with the default inputs (Dextrose concentration 10%, Infusion rate (mL/h) 10, Weight 3.5 kg): 10% dextrose at 10 mL/h for 3.5 kg gives a glucose infusion rate of 4.76 mg/kg/min.
Method: GIR (mg/kg/min) = dextrose % × rate (mL/h) × 10 ÷ (60 × weight in kg) = % × mL/h ÷ (6 × kg).
- Dextrose % means grams per 100 mL, so 1% is 10 mg per mL.
- Only the dextrose fluid counts. Glucose from feeds or other lines is not added.
- The page shows the arithmetic for a prescribed infusion. It does not choose a dextrose strength or a rate.
Worked examples
Each example is checked against the calculator on every build.
- Dextrose concentration 10%, Infusion rate (mL/h) 10, Weight 3.5 kg gives GIR (mg/kg/min) 4.761905, Glucose per day (g/kg/day) 6.857143, Fluid (mL/kg/day) 68.571429.Source: Solimano 2020: GIR = % × mL/h ÷ (6 × kg) = 100 ÷ 21 = 4.76 mg/kg/min
- Dextrose concentration 10%, Infusion rate (mL/h) 12, Weight 3 kg gives GIR (mg/kg/min) 6.666667, Glucose per day (g/kg/day) 9.6, Fluid (mL/kg/day) 96.
- Dextrose concentration 12.5%, Infusion rate (mL/h) 6, Weight 1.25 kg gives GIR (mg/kg/min) 10, Glucose per day (g/kg/day) 14.4, Fluid (mL/kg/day) 115.2.
- Dextrose concentration 5%, Infusion rate (mL/h) 9, Weight 1.5 kg gives GIR (mg/kg/min) 5, Glucose per day (g/kg/day) 7.2, Fluid (mL/kg/day) 144.
Medical disclaimer
This calculator is for information and education only. It is not medical advice, and its result is not a diagnosis. Do not use it to start, stop, or change a treatment without a clinician who knows your health history. No licensed clinician has reviewed this page. This site's editors checked the formulas and worked examples against published sources. If you think you have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number.
When this does not apply. The ranges in the sources are for newborn babies. The arithmetic also works for older children and adults on dextrose fluids or parenteral nutrition, but their usual ranges differ. The page does not count glucose from feeds or other lines.
How the rate is worked out
- Weight in kg (a value typed in g is ÷ 1,000; in lb, × 0.45359237).
- GIR (mg/kg/min) = dextrose % × rate (mL/h) × 10 ÷ (60 × kg) (Solimano 2020).
- Glucose per day (g/kg/day) = GIR × 1,440 ÷ 1,000.
- Fluid (mL/kg/day) = rate (mL/h) × 24 ÷ kg.
The arithmetic runs on the exact typed decimals and is rounded once: GIR and g/kg/day to 2 decimals, mL/kg/day to 1 decimal, halves up.
Inputs: dextrose 1% to 70%, rate 0.1 to 500 mL/h, weight 300 g to 200 kg.
Worked examples by hand
D10 at 10 mL/h, 3.5 kg. 10 × 10 × 10 ÷ (60 × 3.5) = 1,000 ÷ 210 = 4.76 mg/kg/min. × 1.44 = 6.86 g/kg/day. 10 × 24 ÷ 3.5 = 68.6 mL/kg/day.
D10 at 12 mL/h, 3 kg. 10 × 12 ÷ (6 × 3) = 120 ÷ 18 = 6.67 mg/kg/min; 12 × 24 ÷ 3 = 96 mL/kg/day; 9.6 g/kg/day.
D12.5 at 6 mL/h, 1.25 kg. 12.5 × 6 ÷ (6 × 1.25) = 75 ÷ 7.5 = 10 mg/kg/min; 14.4 g/kg/day; 6 × 24 ÷ 1.25 = 115.2 mL/kg/day.
D5 at 9 mL/h, 1.5 kg. 5 × 9 ÷ (6 × 1.5) = 45 ÷ 9 = 5 mg/kg/min; 7.2 g/kg/day; 144 mL/kg/day.
Other questions people ask
What is the GIR formula?
GIR (mg/kg/min) = dextrose % × rate (mL/h) × 10 ÷ (60 × weight in kg). The 10 turns a percent (grams per 100 mL) into mg per mL, and the 60 turns hours into minutes. It simplifies to % × mL/h ÷ (6 × kg).
What is a typical GIR for a newborn?
Solimano (2020) gives 4 to 6 mg/kg/min as the usual glucose use of a term newborn. The page shows the number, not a target.
Can I work out the GIR in my head?
Yes. Solimano (2020) points out that GIR = dextrose % × fluid rate in mL/kg/h ÷ 6. D10 at 3 mL/kg/h gives 10 × 3 ÷ 6 = 5 mg/kg/min.
What does D10 mean?
Dextrose 10%: 10 grams of dextrose in each 100 mL, which is 100 mg per mL.
Why does the page show g/kg/day and mL/kg/day?
Feeding plans often state glucose in g/kg/day and fluids in mL/kg/day. g/kg/day = GIR × 1,440 minutes ÷ 1,000, and mL/kg/day = mL/h × 24 ÷ kg.
Does it count glucose from feeds?
No. Only the dextrose fluid you enter counts. Add other lines or feeds separately.