title: Treatment of acute idiopathic thrombocytopenia of childhood with intravenous infusions of gammaglobulin.
abstract: Gammaglobulin treatment was given at a dose of 1 gm/kg/day intravenously in 29 patients with acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: 15 previously untreated, 10 resistant to steroids, and four who were steroid dependent. The average platelet increase in 24 hours was greater than 50,000/microliter; the average peak platelet count was 194,000/microliter. Eighteen of 25 patients required only one infusion; 10 of these 18 never required any additional (maintenance) therapy. Outcome in previously untreated and steroid-resistant patients was identical; however, previously untreated patients required only 1.8 gm/kg total dose of gammaglobulin, whereas steroid-resistant patients received 3.9 gm/kg. Only one steroid-dependent child of the 29 patients still requires maintenance therapy, at 6-week intervals. Toxicity was minimal. Cost was minimized by not admitting patients and by giving treatment in one visit, rather than five.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Bussel
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goldman
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Imbach
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Schulman
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Hilgartner
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007223:Infant; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008297:Male; D010976:Platelet Count; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011696:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D005719:gamma-Globulins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D005719:gamma-Globulins; D011241:Prednisone