PASSIVE TRANSFER OF HEPATITIS ANTIBODIES DURING INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION OF IMMUNE GLOBULIN

We studied the effect of intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) infusion o n the levels of hepatitis B and C antibodies in 10 premature babies, A ll four tested lots of a commercially purchased IVIG preparation were found to contain substantial amounts of hepatitis B core and hepatitis C antibodies. Our results show that passive transfer of hepatitis B a nd C virus antibodies occurred after IVIG infusion, and that the level s were dependent on the quantity of IVIG given. When assessing neonate s for hepatitis, the factor of receipt of blood products, including IV IG, needs to be considered to interpret laboratory results.