Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in children with severe atopic dermatitis.

Abstract

Children with severe atopic dermatitis (AD) can benefit from intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy. This study aimed to identify the efficacy and safety of IVIG therapy in children with severe AD. Twenty pediatric AD patients were enrolled in this study. Patients with an Investigator's Global Assessment score of 0 or 1 or a reduction of 2 points after treatment were defined as high-responders (HRs), otherwise, they were defined as low-responders (LRs). Twelve patients (60%) achieved an excellent treatment response after 2months, while eight (40%) had a low response. The Scoring Atopic Dermatitis index had improved significantly at 2months post-treatment compared with baseline (p < 0.001). Baseline total serum IgE levels and eosinophil counts were elevated in all subjects and decreased significantly at 2months post-treatment (p=0.004 and 0.021, respectively). Baseline IgE levels were significantly higher in the HR group compared with the LR group (p=0.020). The treatment was well tolerated. Fever was the most common adverse event and occurred in five patients (25%). In conclusion, IVIG could be a safe and effective therapy for children with severe AD and may be more effective in patients with higher IgE levels. Further studies are needed to investigate the different therapeutic responses in patients with different AD phenotypes.