Dextrose-based products

Pediatric Hypoglycemia Dextrose Chart

Category	Age	Glucose	Treatment	Initial IV Bolus	Maintenance Dose
Neonatal	<2mo	<40	D10W	2.5-5 mL/kg	6 mL/kg/h
Pediatric	2mo-8yrs	<60	D25W	2 mL/kg	D10W: 6 mL/kg/h for first 10 kg + 3 mL/kg/h for 11–20 kg + 1.5 mL/kg/h for each additional kg >20 kg
Adult	>8yrs	<70	D50W	50mL (1 amp) OR 1 mL/kg

• Consider diluting the D25W or D50W bolus, with NS 1-to-1, as those concentrations may be sclerosing to veins
• Recheck 5 minutes after dose and repeat dose if low.
• Consider glucagon IM/SQ if IV access is not readily available

Dextrose Comparison

D50W

25gm dextrose in 50mL sterile water (25g/50ml = 50% dextrose)

D10W

25gm dextrose in 250mL sterile water (25gm/250mL = 10% dextrose)

D5W

25gm dextrose in 500mL sterile water (25gm/500mL = 5% dextrose)

Rule of 50

Divide 50 by the type of dextrose solution to arrive at rate in ml/kg

• Adult (D50): 50/50 = 1 ml/kg
• Pediatric (D25): 50/25 = 2 ml/kg
• Infant (D10): 50/10 = 5 ml/kg

See Also

• Hypoglycemia
• Intravenous fluids (main)