Objective: To investigate the application and safety of digoxin in children

so as to provide reference for rational application in clinic. Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on 347 children with digoxin in our hospital from Jan. 2017 to May 2019. Age

gender

department distribution

dosage form and maintenance dose

primary diseases and drug combination were statistically analyzed. Results: Totally 323 children were enrolled

of which 91.33% were younger than 2 years old

and there were more males than females. The main departments were neonatal intensive care unit (NICU

30.03%)

pediatric cardiology unit (22.91%)

surgical intensive care unit (SICU

20.43%) and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU

19.50%). The proportion of cases taking oral solution (65.63%) was higher than that of tablets (34.37%). A total of 246 cases (76.16%) of digoxin maintenance dose was lower than the lower limit of recommended dosage

63 cases (19.50%) were within the recommended range of instructions

and 14 cases (4.33%) were above the upper limit of the recommended dosage. The primary diseases of these cases were in line with the instructions. According to the frequency of use

combination drug were respectively diuretics

antibiotics

angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI)

β-receptor blockers and calcium channel blockers in order of frequency of use

including 6 types that could increase the blood concentration of digoxin. The clinical outcome of 323 children had a cure rate of 67.80% and a mortality rate of 1.24%

there was no statistically significant difference in the cure rate and mortality in different dose groups. Digoxin tablets were not completely consistent with the oral solution instructions in terms of age and dosage

and the maximum difference of maintenance dose was 10 times

which was not conducive to the calculation of clinical use. The incidence of adverse drug reactions was 0.62%. Conclusion: In order to ensure the safe application of drugs for children

it is suggested to carry out pharmacokinetic study on children with the marketed dosage form of digoxin

unify the usage and dosage of children in different dosage form instructions

and promote rational clinical application of drugs. The concentration of digoxin should be monitored

and the pharmacists should comprehensively analyze and track the application of digoxin and provide individualized medication guidance.