A single dose of anti-D immunoglobulin raises platelet count as efficiently as intravenous immunoglobulin in newly diagnosed immune thrombocytopenic purpura in Korean children.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of a single dose of anti-D immunoglobulin (anti-D) at 50 mug/kg to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in Korean children with acute immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).


METHODS
We performed this study prospectively by randomly administering 2 consecutive doses of IVIG at a dose of 1.0 g/kg/dor a single dose of anti-D at 50 microg/kg to children upon initial diagnosis of acute ITP. The platelet count and adverse events, including hemoglobin concentration, were then serially evaluated, and the responses were compared.


RESULTS
The likelihood of having a platelet count greater than 20x10/mm after 3 days of treatment in the IVIG and anti-D group was 93% and 92%, respectively. In addition, hemoglobin concentration in the anti-D group had declined more than that of the IVIG group (1.49 g/dL vs. 0.80 g/dL, P=0.014) 3 days after treatment. Fever, chills, and headache occurred less frequently in the anti-D group than the IVIG group, however, this difference was not statistically significant (25% vs. 45%, P=0.494).


CONCLUSIONS
A single dose of 50 microg/kg of anti-D raised platelet count as efficiently as IVIG in newly diagnosed cases of ITP in Korean children. Although 50 microg/kg of anti-D had a greater effect on the hemoglobin concentration than IVIG, the adverse effects were found to be acceptable, and no serious events were observed.
Son
Dong Woo
DW
Department of Pediatrics, Gil Medical Center, Gachon Medical School, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Incheon, Korea.
Jeon
In-sang
IS
Yang
Sung Wan
SW
Cho
Sang Hee
SH
D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D010976:Platelet Count; D011696:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018029:Rho(D) Immune Globulin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
D006454:Hemoglobins; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D018029:Rho(D) Immune Globulin