AEGiS-GMHC: IN BRIEF: IVIG May Keep Children With Symptomatic HIV Out Of The Hospital Longer

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

IN BRIEF: IVIG May Keep Children With Symptomatic HIV Out Of The Hospital Longer

Gay Men's Health Crisis Treatment Issues, Vol. 5, No. 5 - June 20, 1991
David Barr

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) has found that monthly administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) results in fewer hospitalizations for children with symptomatic HIV infection. IVIG, a solution of concentrated antibodies, which kills bacteria and various other infections, is infused into the blood. In a study to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of IVIG monthly, 372 symptomatic, HIV-infected children between the ages of two months and 12 years were given IVIG. All of the children in the federally- funded ACTG study received an IV preparation, whether or not they were on drug or on placebo. This was a controversial aspect of the trial, and many activists remain opposed to IV placebo, which has no affect in the body, but requires fairly complicated procedures for the children.

IVIG was shown to increase the time that children remain free from infection. It also reduced the number of hospitalizations for children with T4 counts over 200. In children, with T4 counts over 200, no significant improvement occurred. There was no difference in the mortality between the placebo and the IVIG group. It is notable, that while on the drug, patients received standard of care of HIV, which means they were taking AZT and PCP prophylaxis. The noted side effects of the treatment are mild, the most common reaction being a brief rash. None of the children from the trial had any reaction to the IV, so the rash was determined to be drug-related. IVIG is made by Cutter Biological, who agreed to provide immunoglobulin free of charge to all study patients on the recommendation of the child's physician and consent of the child's parent or guardian. Results of this trial will be published in New England Journal of Medicine in early July, 1991.

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