title: High-dose immunoglobulin therapy in four patients with onyalai.
abstract: Onyalai, a form of immune thrombocytopenia in Africa, has a recorded death rate of 9.8% in the acute phase due to haemorrhagic shock or central nervous system bleeding. Four patients with active bleeding and a mean platelet count of 6 x 10(9)/litre were each treated with 0.67 g/kg intravenous globulin (Sandoglobulin) daily on 3 successive days. Clinical bleeding ceased within 3 d and all patients responded with a rise in the platelet count, which peaked at 19-21 d. No side effect was recorded. Intravenous globulin therapy may reduce the morbidity of the acute phase of onyalai.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Tygerberg Hospital, University of Stellenbosch, Republic of South Africa.
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Hesseling
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D010976:Platelet Count; D011696:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous