IVIG Effective in Treating Infants with HDFN

A recent study has found intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) therapy in infants with hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) found that it could be beneficial. Specifically, it found that in neonates with HDFN and phototherapy-resistant hyperbilirubinemia due to blood group incompatibility, IVIG can reduce serum bilirubin concentrations, as well as the need for repeated exchange blood transfusions. And, the highest benefit is provided when administered alongside phototherapy and blood transfusions.

However, systemic complications can arise in the form of anaphylaxis, transfusion-related acute lung injury, acute kidney injury, hypotension, hemolysis, organ dysfunction, thromboembolic events, infection, fever, headaches, chills and fatigue. Yet, complications are relatively rare and can often be resolved with antihistamines and corticosteroids.

According to the study authors, “Infants with blood group B, who presented with a moderate degree of haemolysis [sic] after the first 24 hours of life, with bilirubin levels that continued to rise despite phototherapy intervention, or with a total haemoglobin [sic] count of >13g/dL, benefited the most from [IVIG] administration.”