Is there enough evidence for the use of immunoglobulins in either prevention or treatment of bacterial infection in preterm infants?. Issue 3 (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Resch, Bernhard; Hofer, Nora; Kurath, Stefan
• Is Part Of: Journal of neonatal nursing. Volume 21:Issue 3(2015)
• Page Start: 88
• Page End: 92
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Early and late onset sepsis -- Immunoglobulins -- Neonatal bacterial infection -- Preterm infant -- Prevention -- Treatment; Newborn infants -- Care -- Periodicals; Newborn infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neonatal intensive care -- Periodicals; Soins infirmiers en néonatologie -- Périodiques; Infant, Newborn, Diseases -- Periodicals; Intensive Care, Neonatal -- Periodicals; Neonatal Nursing -- Periodicals; 618.9200231
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jnn.2015.01.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-1841

Abstract

Abstract: The incidence of infection is higher in the neonatal period than at any other time of life, and factors that determine this increased susceptibility to bacterial infection include low levels of immunoglobulins especially in the preterm infant. Longitudinally determined plasma immunoglobulin concentrations of preterm infants are lower compared to term infants. Studies so far revealed IVIG administration for the prevention of neonatal sepsis being safe resulting in a 3 to 4 percent reduction in nosocomial infections with no significant effect on mortality by meta-analyses. This marginal positive effect has to be discussed in the light of the costs and the values assigned to the clinical outcomes. There is not enough evidence for the use of immunoglobulins in the treatment of bacterial infection in preterm infants. IgM enriched IVIG might be beneficial for extremely low gestational age newborns but up to now meta-analyses do not support its general use in neonates.