title: Does IVIg administration yield improved immune function in very premature neonates?
abstract: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) has been evaluated as an adjunctive therapy for neonatal sepsis with modest clinical success despite strong biological plausibility. Multiple factors contribute to this outcome, but perhaps none greater than the limited immune system function in newborns, especially in the very premature neonates. For very premature neonates (<30 weeks gestational age), understanding the effects of IVIg on specific immature immune system functions is particularly relevant given their preponderance to develop sepsis and therefore potentially benefit from IVIg-mediated immunoenhancement. Here, we review the available evidence for enhanced immune function after IVIg administration in very premature neonates and highlight areas for future research.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. james.wynn@duke.edu
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Wynn
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Seed
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Cotten
mesh_terms: D000920:Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects*; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D056747:Immunomodulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000276:immunology*; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018805:Sepsis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007155:Immunologic Factors