Intravenous immune globulin reduces the need for exchange transfusions in Rhesus and AB0 incompatibility.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct a quality control review of a single institution experience with intravenous immune globulin in the treatment of Rhesus and AB0 incompatibility.


METHODS
Intravenous immune globulin as treatment for Rhesus and AB0 incompatibility was introduced in our hospital in 1998. We performed a chart review of 176 infants with Rhesus or AB0 incompatibility treated in our hospital between 1993 and 2003, divided into a historical control group (1993-1998) and a treatment group (1999-2003). The project was approved through institutional ethics procedures.


RESULTS
The use of exchange transfusion as a therapeutic modality was significantly reduced in the cohort treated with intravenous immune globulin (OR 0.11; 95% CI 0.046-0.26, p < 0.001). We found no difference between the intravenous immune globulin group and the infants receiving only exchange transfusion as far as the duration of phototherapy. Infants with Rhesus incompatibility had a higher need for top-up transfusions than those with AB0 incompatibility.


CONCLUSIONS
This study supports the evidence from previous studies suggesting that intravenous immune globulin significantly reduces the need for exchange transfusion in infants with Rhesus and AB0 incompatibility.
Huizing
Kmn
K
Division of Paediatrics, Rikshospitalet University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway.
Røislien
J
J
Hansen
Twr
T
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000097:blood*; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood*; D001787:Blood Group Incompatibility / Q000628:therapy*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005078:Exchange Transfusion, Whole Blood; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008499:Medical Records; D009664:Norway; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010789:Phototherapy; D011786:Quality Control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012203:Rh Isoimmunization / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D001663:Bilirubin