What is the pediatric dose of Dextrose 10% (D10W) for hypoglycemia?

• A. 0.5 g/kg (5 ml/kg) IV/IO
• B. 1 g/kg IV/IO
• C. 0.25 g/kg IV/IO
• D. 2 g/kg IV/IO

Answer: (A)

Dosing glucose for pediatric hypoglycemia is done by weight to raise blood sugar quickly without overdoing it. Dextrose 10% contains 0.1 g of glucose per milliliter, so to give 0.5 g of glucose per kilogram, you administer 0.5 ÷ 0.1 = 5 mL per kilogram IV/IO. That’s why the correct dose is 5 mL/kg of D10W, delivering 0.5 g/kg. Giving more per kilogram (like 1 g/kg or 2 g/kg) would push too much glucose and risk hyperglycemia and other complications, while giving less (0.25 g/kg) might not restore adequate glucose promptly.