PROPHYLACTIC AND THERAPEUTIC USE OF INTRA VENOUSLY ADMINISTERED IMMUNOGLOBULINS IN PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE-CARE

The intravenous infusion of immunoglobulin preparations (ivIg) still i s no established mode of therapy for neonatal septicemia or for the pr evention of nosocomial infections in premature infants. Some recent st udies show a decrease in nosocomial infections by ivIg infusions. Howe ver, a significant reduction in infections by any specific pathogen ha s not been demonstrated; the specific antibody content of the ivIg pre parations in relation to these pathogens has not been examined. No sta tistical differences were found regarding duration of hospitalization, morbidity, or mortality of premature infants. ivIg seem to have posit ive effects on neonatal isoimmune thrombocytopenia or on thrombocytope nia caused by maternal immunothrombocytopenic purpura. There is also e vidence that ivIg could have a positive effect on the course of Guilla in-Barre syndrome, although this has not been proven for children.