Complications Associated with Digoxin Therapy in Low-Birth Weight Infants

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.