Efficacy and Pharmacokinetics of Intravenous Immune Globulin Administration to High-Risk Neonates

Meta-analyses of the Effectiveness of Intravenous Immune Globulin for Prevention and Treatment of Neonatal Sepsis

“…Two studies also included a few term infants requiring intensive care, in addition to including preterm infants. 13,25 In each of the studies of IVIG prophylaxis the administration was begun shortly after birth, and for IVIG treatment the administration was begun when sepsis was suspected. Conventional therapies (eg, antibiotics, mechanical ventilation, cardiovascular support) were given to both IVIG-treated and -untreated groups.…”

“…Our meta-analyses excluded reports appearing only in abstract form with limited information that had not undergone peer-review, 23,28,31 short-term metabolic studies that were not designed to study the effect of IVIG on infection, 21 and reports that contained significant methodologic flaws or that reported limited data that precluded critical analysis. 16,19 Our meta-analyses included an additional study of IVIG for prophylaxis 25 and an additional study of IVIG for treatment. 32 Only four additional IVIG prophylaxis studies 16,21,23,28 provided sufficient information to even consider extrapolation and analysis using our outcome criteria of microbiologic and clinical documentation of sepsis.…”

Pharmacokinetics of Intravenous Immunoglobulin: A Systematic Review

“…In another study, 170 high-risk infants in the neonatal intensive care unit were randomly assigned to IGIV 0.75 g/kg or albumin, within 72 hours of birth, every 2 weeks until discharge or age 3 months. 59 Volume of distribution was not significantly different when infants were stratified based on birth weight.…”

Is there a Role of Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Immunologic Recurrent Pregnancy Loss?

“…As a result, every patient receiving IVIg needs to be tested for IgA and renal function in advance. The use of IVIg did not lead to serious side effects on neonates [162]. The prenatal IVIg administration was not related to premature maturation or other abnormal neonatal immune response [163].…”