Prophylactic immunoglobulin therapy for pediatric congenital myotonic dystrophy

Abstract

Congenital Myotonic Dystrophy (CMD) is an autosomal dominant hereditary disease caused by mutations in the dystrophia myotonica protein kinase gene. Patients with CMD often exhibit low immunoglobulin (Ig) G levels. While Ig replacement therapy for low IgG levels has been reported in several adult cases, there have been no reports on pediatric patients. This study presents a first pediatric case where Ig replacement therapy effectively eliminated susceptibility to infections. The CMD patient, a 1-year-old Japanese female with a history of premature birth and necrotizing enterocolitis, developed recurrent severe bacterial infections due to hypogammaglobulinemia. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) (600 mg/kg/month) was administered but failed to maintain sufficient serum trough IgG levels. The dosage was increased to 2 g/kg/month, and later, the treatment shifted to subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG), resulting in a stable serum trough IgG level above 700 mg/dL for one year. The cause of hypogammaglobulinemia in CMD patients remains unclear, but potential mechanisms, including IgG-mediated hypercatabolism by alterations in the neonatal Fc receptor, have been considered. Genetic testing ruled out common variable immunodeficiency, and other potential causes were excluded. The study suggests that higher doses of IVIG or SCIG can effectively prevent severe infections associated with CMD-induced hypogammaglobulinemia in children.