[Experience with the use of immune intravenous immunoglobulin in symptomatic children with human immunodeficiency virus infection]

Author(s): Jimenez E, Carrer MT, Perez Dieppa I, Ortiz L, Fernandez M

Affiliation(s): Departamento de Pediatria, Hospital Municipal de San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Publication date & source: 1991-12, Bol Asoc Med P R., 83(12):538-42.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial

The Department of Pediatrics of the San Juan City Hospital participated in a collaborative clinical trial, placebo controlled, designed by NICHD with the purpose of determining if the use of gamma immunoglobulin is effective in preventing serious infections in symptomatic children infected with HIV. Of the 372 children randomized, 33 were from San Juan City Hospital. Of the 16 children on placebo, 9 (56%) developed 23 episodes of serious infections and 4 of 15 children on IVIG developed 5 episodes. A total of 24 hospitalizations occurred in the placebo group and six in the IVIG group. The mortality in our center was 12% (4/31). No adverse reactions were registered from the infusions in our center. Intravenous gamma immunoglobulin demonstrated to be effective in preventing bacterial infections and decreasing the number of hospitalizations in a subgroup of children infected with HIV.