Use of intravenous immunoglobulin for treatment of recurrent miscarriage: a systematic review.
BACKGROUND
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is a fractionated blood product whose off-label use for treating a variety of conditions, including spontaneous recurrent miscarriage, has continued to grow in recent years. Its high costs and short supply necessitate improved guidance on its appropriate applications.


OBJECTIVE
We conducted a systematic review of randomised controlled trials evaluating IVIG for treatment of spontaneous recurrent miscarriage.


METHODS
A systematic search strategy was applied to Medline (1966 to June 2005) and the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (June 2005).


METHODS
We included all randomised controlled trials comparing all dosages of IVIG to placebo or an active control.


METHODS
Two investigators independently extracted data using a standardised data collection form. Measures of effect were derived for each trial independently, and studies were pooled based on clinical and methodologic appropriateness.


RESULTS
We identified eight trials involving 442 women that evaluated IVIG therapy used to treat recurrent miscarriage. Overall, IVIG did not significantly increase the odds ratio (OR) of live birth when compared with placebo for treatment of recurrent miscarriage (OR 1.28, 95% CI 0.78-2.10). There was, however, a significant increase in live births following IVIG use in women with secondary recurrent miscarriage (OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.09-6.73), while those with primary miscarriage did not experience the same benefit (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.35-1.26).


CONCLUSIONS
IVIG increased the rates of live birth in secondary recurrent miscarriage, but there was insufficient evidence for its use in primary recurrent miscarriage.
Hutton
B
B
Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa Hospital, and Department of Psychology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Canada.
Sharma
R
R
Fergusson
D
D
Tinmouth
A
A
Hebert
P
P
Jamieson
J
J
Walker
M
M
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous