# What is the GIR?

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.

- Page: https://www.acalculator.org/health/gir-calculator
- JSON spec: https://www.acalculator.org/health/gir-calculator.json
- Version: 7d90ea33152b

## Default answer

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.

## Inputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| dextrose | Dextrose concentration | The dextrose in the fluid, in grams per 100 mL (D10 is 10%), from 1% to 70%. |
| rate | Infusion rate (mL/h) | The pump rate of the dextrose fluid, in mL per hour, from 0.1 to 500. |
| weight | Weight | Body weight, from 300 g to 200 kg. |

## Outputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| gir | GIR (mg/kg/min) | Dextrose % × mL/h × 10 ÷ (60 × kg), to 2 decimals. |
| glucose | Glucose per day (g/kg/day) | The same glucose per day: GIR × 1,440 minutes ÷ 1,000, to 2 decimals. |
| fluid | Fluid (mL/kg/day) | The fluid this infusion gives: mL/h × 24 ÷ kg, to 1 decimal. |

## Method

GIR (mg/kg/min) = dextrose % × rate (mL/h) × 10 ÷ (60 × weight in kg) = % × mL/h ÷ (6 × kg).

## Assumptions

- 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

1. dextrose = 10%, rate = 10, weight = 3.5 gives gir = 4.761905, glucose = 6.857143, fluid = 68.571429. Source: Solimano 2020: GIR = % × mL/h ÷ (6 × kg) = 100 ÷ 21 = 4.76 mg/kg/min.
2. dextrose = 10%, rate = 12, weight = 3 gives gir = 6.666667, glucose = 9.6, fluid = 96.
3. dextrose = 12.5%, rate = 6, weight = 1.25 gives gir = 10, glucose = 14.4, fluid = 115.2.
4. dextrose = 5%, rate = 9, weight = 1.5 gives gir = 5, glucose = 7.2, fluid = 144.

## FAQ

### 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.

## Sources

- Solimano A. Drop that calculator! You can easily calculate the glucose infusion rate in your head, and should! Paediatr Child Health. 2020;25(4):199-200. https://doi.org/10.1093/pch/pxz115 (open at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7286731/, retrieved 2026-10-05)
- Kiyohara AP, Wada RM, Kling ER. Neonatal Hypoglycemia. Case Based Pediatrics for Medical Students and Residents, University of Hawaii. https://www.hawaii.edu/medicine/pediatrics/pedtext/s03c08.html (retrieved 2026-10-05)