ABSTRACT
Intravenous immunoglobulin (Gammagard 5%), 500 mg/kg, was given over 3 hours to 10
acutely ill infants with proven or suspected sepsis (treatment group) and 10 clinically
stable preterm infants less than 1750 gm birthweight as prophylaxis for sepsis (prevention
group). No differences were found in heart rate, respiratory rate, mean arterial blood
pressure, or urine output in either group during or following the infusion compared
with preinfusion values, exceptfor a small but significant decrease in heart rate
postinfusion in the prevention group. Likewise, serum glucose, sodium, serum glutamic
oxaloacetic transominase, and osmolality were unchanged 15 minutes and 6 hours following
infusion. Urea nitrogen rose a small but significant amount in both groups. Hemoglobin
concentration declined a small but significant amount 15 minutes postinfusion in the
prevention group, but returned to baseline by 6 hours postinfusion. There were no
changes in white blood cell count or platelet counts in either group. These data indicate
that intravenous immunoglobulin in the dose given was associated with no adverse effects.
Additional studies are warranted to evaluate the efficacy of these preparations in
the treatment and prevention of neonatal septicemia.
