title: Home self-administration of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in children.
abstract: Twelve children with primary immunodeficiency, aged 2 to 17 years (mean +/- 1 SD = 9.8 +/- 5.3), were enrolled in a 9-month study to evaluate the feasibility and safety of home self-infusion of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). An initial 2-month training and supervisory period was followed by a 6- to 7-month period during which the children or their parents infused IVIg in a home setting. Eight children received an average dose of 204 +/- 12 mg/kg every 2 weeks, two children received a dose of 400 mg/kg every month, and an additional two children received 240 to 250 mg/kg every 10 days. Peak and trough levels varied from 946 +/- 20 mg/dL and 627 +/- 16 mg/dL, respectively, in children receiving IVIg every 2 weeks. The peak-trough values for the children receiving IVIg every month were 1105 +/- 94 mg/dL and 457 +/- 78 mg/dL, while those of children receiving IVIg every 10 days were 840 +/- 24 mg/dL and 553 +/- 109 mg/dL. A total of 224 infusions were administered, with only two minor reactions occurring (reaction rate of 0.9%). There was no difference in the frequency of infections and antibiotic use during the study compared with the previous phase. The results demonstrate that home self-infusion of IVIg in children is safe and feasible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of California-Los Angeles School of Medicine 90024.
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Ochs
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000379:methods; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012646:Self Administration / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous