Home therapy with subcutaneous immunoglobulin infusions in children with congenital immunodeficiencies

Abstract

Objectives: Patients with congenital, humoral immunodeficiencies are usually treated with intravenous immunoglobulin infusions. Subcutaneous infusions have emerged as an alternative treatment modality also in children. Our institution has run a subcutaneous infusion home therapy program for 6 years, and the purpose of this report is to describe our experience with this regimen.

Methods: The subcutaneous therapy of eight patients with immunodeficiency (three with agammaglobulinemia, one with common variable immunodeficiency, one with severe combined immunodeficiency and bone marrow transplantation, and three with hyper-immunoglobulin M syndrome) was evaluated by chart review and a questionnaire answered by all the families. The infusions were given for at least 3 hours each week by a small syringe driver at home after the family had attended an intensive educational course at the hospital.

Results: The children were given a total of approximately 1100 infusions. They started at the age of 2 to 8 (mean, 4.5) years and received these infusions for 1.5 to 6 (mean, 3) years. By administering immunoglobulin doses from 58 to 149 (mean, 97) mg/kg per week, trough serum immunoglobulin G values from 5.2 to 9.6 (mean, 7) g/L were obtained. No serious infections occurred. Short-lasting, local side effects such as swelling and redness were frequently reported, but pain or systemic adverse reactions during or after the infusions were never encountered.

Conclusions: Home therapy with subcutaneous immunoglobulin infusions in children with congenital immunodeficiencies is a feasible and safe treatment alternative.