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TRANSFER OF DIGOXIN ACROSS THE PLACENTA AND INTO BREAST MILK
Author(s) -
Chan Vivian,
Tse T. F.,
Wong Vivian
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1978.tb14929.x
Subject(s) - digoxin , placenta , breast milk , obstetrics , medicine , pregnancy , chemistry , biology , fetus , heart failure , biochemistry , genetics
Summary Eleven mothers given digoxin throughout pregnancy because of rheumatic heart disease were studied. Digoxin was identified in the placenta and, for the first time, in milk. Paired cord and maternal blood samples obtained at parturition showed lower digoxin levels in cord blood than in maternal blood. The total tissue‐bound digoxin level in the placenta correlated closely with maternal digoxin levels. These findings suggest strongly the presence of a placental barrier for digoxin. Similar digoxin concentrations (0·825±0·015 nmol/l) were found in milk samples obtained daily between the third and seventh days postpartum. The half‐life of digoxin in the newborn was 36·2±5·43 hours (Mean±SEM); thus all the digoxin present at birth would be excreted within 10 to 11 days.