Intravenous immune globulin in recurrent abortion.
A specific effect of intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) on the outcome of pregnancy in patients with a history of habitual abortion has been postulated as an alternative to immunotherapy with allogeneic leucocytes. The results of different pilot studies have been promising, demonstrating a successful outcome of pregnancy in approximately 80% of treated patients. However, the evaluation and interpretation of the study results has to take into account that the probability of a successful pregnancy in women with a history of three spontaneous abortions is about 60% without treatment. Specific pharmacological effects therefore have to be verified in controlled studies in order to rule out psychological (placebo) effects. A specific therapeutic effect could not be verified in a German randomized, double-blind, multicentre trial in comparison to human albumin 5% which was used as a placebo. The result of another controlled study currently underway in the USA is expected.
Institute for Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
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O
Heine
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Mueller-Eckhardt
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome
D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous