High- vs low-dose immunoglobulin therapy in the long-term treatment of X-linked agammaglobulinemia

Am J Dis Child. 1992 Mar;146(3):335-9. doi: 10.1001/archpedi.1992.02160150075025.

Abstract

The data of 29 patients with X-linked agammaglobulinemia, who received immunoglobulin replacement therapy between 1965 and 1990, were analyzed for dose-dependent long-term results concerning infectious complications. Patients who received high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin replacement (greater than 400 mg/kg every 3 weeks) showed a significant increase in trough serum IgG levels and a significant decrease in the incidence of pneumonias and the number of days spent in the hospital compared with patients receiving intravenous immunoglobulin low-dose (less than 200 mg/kg every 3 weeks) or intramuscular immunoglobulin (less than 100 mg/kg every 3 weeks) treatment. Improvements in therapeutic outcome were particularly evident when high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin replacement therapy was started before the age of 5 years. Bacterial meningitis, chronic pulmonary disease, and bronchiectasis occurred in the intramuscular immunoglobulin group but did not occur in either of the intravenous immunoglobulin groups. High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy may have a positive impact on the clinical course and may prevent severe complications in patients with X-linked agammaglobulinemia.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Agammaglobulinemia / blood
  • Agammaglobulinemia / complications
  • Agammaglobulinemia / genetics
  • Agammaglobulinemia / therapy*
  • Age Factors
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chronic Disease
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Genetic Linkage
  • Humans
  • Immunization, Passive*
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / administration & dosage*
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / adverse effects
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Infections / epidemiology
  • Infections / etiology
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vital Capacity
  • X Chromosome

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous