Intravenous immunoglobulin in the prevention of recurrent spontaneous abortion: the European experience.
OBJECTIVE
Clinical trials of the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IvIg) in the treatment of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) in Europe were reported and discussed.


METHODS
A search of the published literature, combined with our own published and unpublished results, was performed.


RESULTS
Two placebo-controlled trials have been concluded in Europe. One trial found high but equal success rates in both the IvIg and the placebo group. Another trial found that IvIg treatment may increase the success rate by 24% compared with placebo but that the result was not statistically significant, which might be due to the small number of patients. Reasons for the diverse results of the two trials were discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
More and larger placebo-controlled trials of IvIg treatment in RSA are needed before drawing definitive conclusions.
Christiansen
O B
OB
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aalborg Hospital, Denmark.
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome
D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous