Why the study?
Does low dose digoxin therapy cause complications in low-birth-weight infants with patent ductus arteriosus?
Does low dose digoxin therapy cause complications in low-birth-weight infants with patent ductus arteriosus?
Low dose digoxin therapy in low-birth-weight infants with patent ductus arteriosus is associated with significant reversible complications, suggesting alternative therapies should be considered.
Low-dose digoxin was associated with reversible complications in half of treated infants; hypothesis-generating observation leaves open its safety in low-birth-weight PDA and requires controlled trials.
Eighteen infants, each weighing less than 1,500 gm, were treated with low dose digoxin therapy for patent ductus arteriosus and signs of circulatory congestion. Nine of the 18 developed one or more signs of clinical deterioration felt to be related to digoxin therapy: eight infants experienced frequent episodes of bradycardia, six had cardiac arrhythmias, and six experienced feeding difficulties. All signs disappeared when digoxin therapy was discontinued. Digoxin, even in relatively low dosages, can have deleterious complications in seriously ill low-birth-weight infants. Alternatives to digoxin in this patient population should be considered before institution of digoxin therapy.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Johnson et al. (1982) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: