Massive digoxin intoxication in childhood.

In a 10 year old boy 8 hours after taking about 16 mg beta-acetyl-digoxin a maximum serum digoxin level of 31.8 ng/ml was measured radioimmunologically. This is the highest digitalis level in childhood described to date. The serum potassium level rose to 7.4 mmol/l. Complete atrio-ventricular block, and salves of ventricular premature beats were the most serious rhythm disturbances. The absence of life threatening rhythm disturbances is attributed to the early use of diphenylhydantoin in small frequent doses.