Uses of intravenous gammaglobulin in immune hematologic disease.

Overview

In summary, for intravenous gammaglobulin use of ITP in children and adults, it is clear that intravenous gammaglobulin is an effective way to increase the platelet count acutely and this will be faster than or as fast as any other therapy. However, there is no proven curative effect of IV gammaglobulin. Its use in situations requiring a rapid increase in the platelet count seems secure as does its use in children with chronic ITP. The latter however and the treatment of HIV-ITP may find IVIG treatment largely replaced in the future by IV Anti-D(10) which is currently experimental. The use of a viral inactivated form of IVIG currently seems mandatory to avoid post-transmission hepatitis.