Intravenous Immunoglobulin In Neonates Research Articles

Clinical usage of intravenous immunoglobulin in neonates in a tertiary care centre: a retrospective observational study

Background: Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) is a blood product manufactured from pooled plasma. With increasing availability, an increased usage in neonates is being noted, though its utilisation has not been audited thoroughly. The objectives of this study are to describe the usage pattern and indications of IVIG and its outcome in a state-run tertiary care NICU.Methods: This retrospective observational study was carried out at the inborn unit of Department of Neonatology, Madras Medical College, Chennai on a cohort of neonates who received IVIG over 3.5 years from January 2016 to June 2019. Data was collected from drug register, neonatal case records, exchange transfusion register and death register.Results: Our study cohort had 55 neonates who received IVIG over 3.5 years. Indications for IVIG usage were Rh-alloimmunisation (23), ABO-alloimmunisation (7), prophylaxis of perinatal varicella (20), and other immune thrombocytopenia (5). Among 30 neonates with ABO-/Rh-incompatibility, 11 required exchange transfusion (ET). ET rates have shown a decreasing trend during this period. 2 babies with Rh-immunisation and Hydrops expired. None of the babies given prophylaxis for perinatal varicella manifested the disease. Neonates treated for immune thrombocytopenia were successfully discharged.Conclusions: This study shows the IVIG usage pattern in a tertiary care neonatal unit. In neonates with Hemolytic disease due to Rh-/ABO-alloimmunisation treated with IVIG, a reduction in rates of exchange transfusion has been noted. IVIG is being used increasingly for prophylaxis of perinatal varicella and immune related thrombocytopenia with promising benefits. It is prudent to have SOPs for IVIG administration with standardised issue and transfusion forms for documentation to regulate its judicious use.

Intravenous Immunoglobulins as Adjunct Treatment to Phototherapy in Isoimmune Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn: A Retrospective Case-Control Study.

BackgroundIsoimmune hemolytic disease is a major cause of neonatal severe indirect hyperbilirubinemia that requires phototherapy or exchange transfusion which is an invasive procedure to avoid brain injury. Administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is used as an adjunct treatment to phototherapy in order to decrease the rate of exchange transfusion.MethodsThis retrospective case-control study aimed to describe the safety and efficacy of IVIG therapy in newborns with isoimmune hemolytic disease and to compare their clinical outcomes to those of a control group who were treated only with phototherapy. Criteria for IVIG treatment were variable; when phototherapy threshold was reached or when exchange transfusion level was approached, using either indication is based on the attending discretion.ResultsNinety-four infants were included in the IVIG group, compared to 108 infants in the control group. Most of the included infants were term infants and most common cause was ABO incompatibility. There were no side effects documented in all the included infants. The IVIG group had more severe hemolysis with average highest bilirubin of 14.6 ± 3.7 mg/dL in the IVIG group versus 12.6 ± 3 in the control group (P = 0.0001). Complication of hemolysis was seen more in the IVIG group with higher rate of rebound hyperbilirubinemia, blood transfusion and exchange transfusion.ConclusionsIVIG use as an adjunct treatment to phototherapy in isoimmune hemolytic disease of the newborns is safe. The favorable results of the phototherapy only group were supportive of using selective criteria for administration of IVIG in neonates with isoimmune hemolytic disease.

Use of intravenous immunoglobulin in neonates at a tertiary academic hospital: a retrospective 11-year study.

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is used to treat a variety of diseases in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Although audits have reported on the spectrum of IVIG use in adults, the indications and utilization in neonates has not been investigated. The objectives of this study were to describe the usage pattern of and indications for IVIG in a tertiary care NICU. A retrospective chart review was performed of all neonates who received IVIG in the NICU from January 2003 to December 2013. Data collected included patient demographic features, antenatal maternal details, neonatal laboratory results, treatment details, adverse events, and patient outcome. Thirty-seven neonates received IVIG over the 11-year period. Twenty-three (67%) were treated for hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN); 13 treatments were ABO related, six were anti-D related, and four were for clinically significant antibodies. Fourteen (33%) were treated for non-HDN causes, including eight for septic neonates, two for neonates with necrotizing enterocolitis, two for neonates with a clinically significant antibody but without evidence of hemolysis, and two for neonates with glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. A complete hemolytic workup was not performed consistently before the receipt of IVIG. This novel assessment of IVIG use in the NICU revealed the spectrum of disease for which IVIG is ordered. This study also found that key diagnostic tests needed to confirm an immune etiology for idiopathic jaundice are not performed routinely before IVIG receipt. Neonatal transfusion-related databases are needed to carry out pragmatic clinical trials to establish better evidence-based guidelines for IVIG therapy in the NICU.

Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Neonates: Current Perspective

IVIG is being used off-label in newborns for sepsis prophylaxis, treatment of neonatal alloimmune diseases such as HDN & NAIT.Though earlier studies supported IVIG prophylaxis in neonatal sepsis prevention, latest INIS Trial showed that IVIG is not recommended to prevent neonatal sepsis. Use in treatment of sepsis remains controversial. Cochrane systematic review suggested a beneficial effect on mortality. Significant reduction in mortality occurred with addition of IgM-enriched IVIG. Nowadays IVIG is being increasingly used in Hemolytic Disorders mainly blood group incompatibility. It has been found to reduce multiple exchange transfusions, length of hospital stay & duration of phototherapy. Possible side effects include fever, allergic reactions, hypoglycaemia, hypotension, haemolysis, fluid overload & anaphylaxis. Pending FDA approval, prompt & judicious administration of IVIG with close monitoring for any adverse events is mandatory.

Use of intravenous immunoglobulin in neonates with haemolytic disease and immune thrombocytopenia

Intravenous immunoglobulin is a blood product made of human polyclonal immunoglobulin G. The mode of action of intravenous immunoglobulin is very complex. It is indicated in treatment of neonatal immune thrombocytopenia and haemolytic disease of the newborn. The aim of the study was to present our experience in the use of intravenous immunoglobulin in a group of term neonates. We analysed all relevant clinical and laboratory data of 23 neonates who recieved intravenous immunoglobulin during their hospitalization in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Mother and Child Health Care Institute over a five year period, from 2006. to 2010. There were 11 patients with haemolytic disease of the newborn and 12 neonates with immune thrombocytopenia. All of them recieved 1-2 g/kg intravenous immunoglobulin in the course of their treatment. There was no adverse effects of intravenous immunoglobulin use. The use of intravenous immunoglobulin led to an increase in platelet number in thrombocytopenic patients, whereas in those with haemolytic disease serum bilirubin level decreased significantly, so that some patients whose bilirubin level was very close to the exchange transfusion criterion, avoided this procedure. The use of intravenous immunoglobulin was shown to be an effective treatment in reducing the need for exchange transfusion, duration of phototherapy and the length of hospital stay in neonates with haemolytic disease. When used in treatment of neonatal immune thrombocytopenia, it leads to an increase in the platelet number, thus decreasing the risk of serious complications of thrombocytopenia.

Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Neonates With Rhesus Hemolytic Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Despite limited data, international guidelines recommend the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in neonates with rhesus hemolytic disease. We tested whether prophylactic use of IVIg reduces the need for exchange transfusions in neonates with rhesus hemolytic disease. We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in neonates with rhesus hemolytic disease. After stratification for treatment with intrauterine transfusion, neonates were randomly assigned for IVIg (0.75 g/kg) or placebo (5% glucose). The primary outcome was the rate of exchange transfusions. Secondary outcomes were duration of phototherapy, maximum bilirubin levels, and the need of top-up red-cell transfusions. Eighty infants were included in the study, 53 of whom (66%) were treated with intrauterine transfusion(s). There was no difference in the rate of exchange transfusions between the IVIg and placebo groups (7 of 41 [17%] vs 6 of 39 [15%]; P = .99) and in the number of exchange transfusions per patient (median [range]: 0 [0-2] vs 0 [0-2]; P = .90) or in duration of phototherapy (4.7 [1.8] vs 5.1 [2.1] days; P = .34), maximum bilirubin levels (14.8 [4.7] vs 14.1 [4.9] mg/dL; P = .52), and proportion of neonates who required top-up red-cell transfusions (34 of 41 [83%] vs 34 of 39 [87%]; P = .76). Prophylactic IVIg does not reduce the need for exchange transfusion or the rates of other adverse neonatal outcomes. Our findings do not support the use of IVIg in neonates with rhesus hemolytic disease.

Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Neonates With Rhesus Hemolytic Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Neonates With Rhesus Hemolytic Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Neonates With Rhesus Hemolytic Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Neonates With Rhesus Hemolytic Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Neonates With Rhesus Hemolytic Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Neonates With Rhesus Hemolytic Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Postnatal management of fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia: the role of matched platelet transfusion and IVIG

We evaluated the effects of platelet transfusions and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in neonates with fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) with and without antenatal treatment with IVIG. Records of neonates with FNAIT admitted between January 2000 and November 2005 were reviewed. The patients were divided into group I, treated antenatally with IVIG for known FNAIT, and group II, postnatally diagnosed with FNAIT. The primary outcome was the time interval to reach a platelet level above 100 x 10(9)/L in relation to the type of treatment. Nineteen neonates with FNAIT were identified, 13 in group I and 6 in group II. In group I, four children were born with a platelet count above 100 x 10(9)/L and never needed treatment, and four received a single matched platelet transfusion at birth with a maintained response. Five neonates received IVIG and one matched transfusion, with all but one rapidly responding. In antenatally treated cases, postnatal IVIG had no apparent effect on the platelet count. In group II, two neonates died on day 1 with severe intracranial hemorrhage. Two of the four other patients responded to a number of unmatched platelet transfusions, with one neonate rapidly responding after one matched transfusion, while another needed nine matched transfusions before a persistent adequate platelet count was reached after 9 weeks. Postnatal IVIG had no apparent effect on the platelet count in any of our cases. In neonates with FNAIT treated antenatally with IVIG, neonatal management using a single matched platelet transfusion was adequate in all cases. In neonatally diagnosed cases not treated before birth, multiple matched platelet transfusions may be required. We found no evidence to support the use of IVIG in neonates with FNAIT.