Agonal elevation in serum digoxin concentrations in infants and children long after cessation of therapy.

In 11 of 15 profoundly sick, digitalized infants and children, elevation in serum digoxin concentration could be detected long after cessation of therapy. This phenomenon concurred with a rapid deterioration of renal function. Because death of a digitalized child may be attributed to the glycoside itself, it is important to recognize that elevation in serum concentration to a potentially toxic level is a common pathophysiologic pattern.