Intravenous administration of human IgG to newborn infants: changes in serum antibody levels to group B streptococci
✍ Scribed by K. K. Christensen; P. Christensen; H. U. Bucher; G. Duc; C. H. Kind; D. Mieth; B. Müller; R. A. Seger
- Publisher
- Springer
- Year
- 1984
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 511 KB
- Volume
- 143
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0340-6997
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✦ Synopsis
A human IgG preparation was given intravenously to 36 newborn infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit because of suspected septicaemia. IgG was given as a single dose of 0.4 g/kg body weight. Patient serum was obtained immediately before and 30 min after terminating the infusion. Blood was also withdrawn 2 days after giving the IgG in eight of the infants. The sera were tested by radioimmunoassay for IgG antibody levels to surface antigens of group B streptococci (GBS) types Ia, Ib, II and III and to R-protein. The mean increases in anti-type Ia, Ib, II, III and R-protein antibodies 30 min after the end of infusion were 81%, 73%, 49%, 60% and 69% of the preinfusion levels, respectively. This was followed by a rapid decrease during the following 2 days to 25%-32% of the initial increases. Based on the above findings, a controlled trial of passive immunisation in the management of neonatal GBS septicaemia seems justified. The rapid decline in antibody levels would necessitate a second infusion 24 h after the initial immunoglobulin administration if the suspicion of septicaemia persists.