Use of Intravenous Immunoglobulin in the Treatment of Neonatal Sepsis

The mortality and morbidity associated with neonatal sepsis and meningitis remain significant despite advances in antimicrobial chemotherapy and supportive care. Recent studies have shown that administration of a specific antibody in conjunction with antibiotics may improve the outcome of neonates with sepsis. For example, Shigeoka et al¹ showed that infants infected with group B streptococci and transfused with whole blood containing specific opsonic antibody had significantly improved survival compared with infants receiving blood lacking antibody to the infected strains. The feasibility of this combined immunotherapy and antimicrobial chemotherapy has been aided by the availability of safe preparations of human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).

In contrast to conventional intramuscular immune serum globulin, IVIG can be given in large quantities to patients, regardless of body size or muscle mass, thereby providing immediate high levels of specific antibody that may be of therapeutic benefit. Two prospective control studies have been published concerning the