Digoxin intoxication in infants and children: Correlation with serum levels

A study was made of serum digoxin levels, as determined by radioimmunoassay, in twelve infants and four children with digitalis toxicity. Serum digoxin concentrations were significantly higher during digitalization than during maintenance therapy, but levels during digitalization did not differ between toxic and nontoxic infants. During maintenance therapy, however, the mean levels in intoxicated infants (3.6 ng. per milliliter and children (2.9 ng. per milliliter) were significantly higher than those of nontoxic patients (1.7 and 1.1 ng. per milliliter, respectively). It was concluded that when properly obtained and interpreted, determination of the serum digoxin concentration is a useful procedure for corroborating the diagnosis of digitalis toxicity in pediatric patients, as it is in adults.