Intravenous immunoglobulin for recurrent unexplained pregnancy loss: a case report.

BACKGROUND

Recurrent unexplained pregnancy loss plagues obstetricians. Many therapies are controversial, including intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). There have been limited studies to support or oppose its use.

CASE

A 33-year-old woman, gravida 12, para 0, 2, 10, 1, with normal laboratory values and normal parental karyotypes, unsuccessfully tried many different accepted therapies for recurrent pregnancy loss. She tried IVIG with the last pregnancy and achieved delivery of a viable, male infant at 32 weeks' gestation.

CONCLUSION

For many cases of unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss, IVIG may not be the answer. However, this case may demonstrate a limited role for IVIG in the treatment of recurrent pregnancy loss with repeated maternal floor infarction of the placenta. Deciding whether or not to use IVIG should not be the question; the real question may be when to use it.