RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS IMMUNE GLOBULIN INTRAVENOUS

OBJECTIVE: To review the clinical data detailing the use of respirator y syncytial virus immune globulin intravenous (RSV-IGIV) in infants an d children. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search (1990-1996) was used to ide ntify all publications that dealt with RSV-IGIV clinical trials, pharm acology, and pharmacokinetics in infants and children. Bibliographies of articles were also used. STUDY SELECTION: All abstracts and clinica l trials were reviewed. DATA EXTRACTION: Study design, population, eff icacy, and safety data were retained. DATA SYNTHESIS: RSV-IGIV is an i mmunoglobulin product with serum neutralizing titers against RSV. It h as been shown to reduce hospital stay, admissions, intensive care unit admissions, and mechanical ventilation days in infants and children w ith RSV pneumonia or bronchiolitis who are younger than 24 months of a ge and were horn prematurely, or have bronchopulmonary dysplasia. RSV- IGIV is well tolerated by infants and children. CONCLUSIONS: RSV-IGIV is an effective prophylactic agent against serious RSV disease in sele ct groups of infants and children.