G-CSF THERAPY IN A NEONATE WITH ALLOIMMUN E NEUTROCYTOPENIA

Right after birth a normal birth weight neonate was found to be neutro penic. Alloimmune neutrocytopenia was diagnosed by detection of specif ic antibodies against the neutrophil antigen NA1 in maternal serum. In spite of antibiotic and surgical treatment the child developed progre ssive gluteal cellulitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Experimenta l therapy with granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) at a dosa ge of 10 mu g/kg body weight was initiated and continued for 7 days. A significant increase of absolute neutrophil count was observed. The i nflammation resolved and the wound healed without further complication s. Neutrophil counts continued to rise and were within normal limits a fter the 6th month. This is the first reported case of a neonate with alloimmune neutropenia treated with G-CSF.