5/2/1 – 50! Dextrose volume for hypoglycemia

There is a quick memory aid that will help you remember how much dextrose to give to patients with hypoglycemia. It is commonly known as the 5/2/1 rule, or the rule of 50.

D10 5 mL/kg

D25 2 mL/kg

D50 1 mL/kg

Note that all three, when multiplied, equal 50 (e.g. 5ml/kg x 10 = 50)

Given the hypertonicity of D50 it can be dangerous to give through a peripheral IV. It can cause phlebitis and thrombosis and in pediatric patients it is rarely indicated, especially when D10 or D25 (in bigger kids) will work just as well.

EMKF

Emergency Medicine Kenya Foundation (EMKF) is a not-for-profit (NGO) public benefit organisation registered in Kenya