[Personal experience in the immunomodulation of immunothrombocytopenic purpura in children using high doses of i.v. immunoglobulin]

Abstract

Twenty-three child patients with immunothrombocytopenic purpura ITP were treated with high doses of immunoglobulins for intravenous application. The dose applied was 400 mg/kg during five consecutive days. The immunological status of all patients was determined previously, and beside the normal values of the IgG serum, a deficit of the IgG2 subclass was discovered in 12 patients. The therapy effect was satisfactory in 19 patients, and 4 had an absence of a satisfactory response to therapy. There was an interesting observation that all patients with a good response to therapy had a deficit of the IgG2 subclass, while with all the other patients without a satisfactory response to therapy the, IgG2 subclass had normal values. On the basis of the results observed it can be concluded that i.v. immunoglobin therapy in high doses has it's place in the immunothrombocytopenia treatment of children, and especially of patients with an IgG2 subclass deficit.