title: A dose comparison study of IVIG in postpartum relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Untreated patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) have an elevated risk of exacerbation in the first 3 months postpartum. Pregnant patients (n =173) with RRMS and with at least one relapse in the two years before pregnancy were enrolled in this multinational, multicentre, randomized double-blind clinical trial investigating different doses of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment in the 6 months postpartum. Group I (unloaded) received 150 mg/kg body weight (BW) IVIG on Day 1, then placebo infusions on Day 2 and Day 3. Group II (loaded) received 450, 300 and 150 mg/kg BW on Days 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Both groups then received 150 mg/kg BW five times in four-weekly intervals. The ratio of patients remaining relapse-free during the first 3 months postpartum did not differ significantly between both groups (81.5% in Group II versus 75.6% in Group I). The ratio of relapse-free patients was independent of dosage in the subgroup of patients breastfeeding for at least 3 months (89% in Group I versus 90% in Group II). The mean annualized relapse rate (ARR) after pregnancy did not show an increased risk for exacerbation, but returned to prepregnancy level within 3 months independent of dosage. The treatment was well tolerated.
authors: Jüdisches Krankenhaus Berlin, Abteilung für Neurologie, Heinz-Galinski-Str 1, 13347, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Judith
authors: J
authors: Haas
authors: Otto Roelf
authors: OR
authors: Hommes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000276:immunology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007155:Immunologic Factors