Immunoglobulin serum levels in very low birth weight infants treated with different intravenous preparations.

Parenteral human immunoglobulin (IVIG) administration is widely used in low birth weight (LBW) infants for prevention and therapy of neonatal infection. In previous studies, IVIG preparations containing IgG and low IgM concentrations were commonly used. In this study we compare immunoglobulin serum levels in two groups of healthy preterm infants receiving prophylactically standard IVIG (Sandoglobulin, 0.1 mg/kg IgM) or IgM-enriched IVIG (Pentaglobin, 30 mg/kg IgM). Immunoglobulin levels were assayed by rate nephelometry at birth and at 3, 5, 7, and 14 days after birth. The two groups of patients were matched for gestational age (31 +/- 2.3 weeks), birth weight (1320 +/- 340 g), and serum IgG (4.1 +/- 1.9 milligram) and IgM (0.22 +/- 0.18 milligram) levels at birth. Significantly higher IgM levels were observed at 3 and 5 days after IgM-enriched IVIG administration (p less than 0.01). Higher IgG levels were attained and persisted for 2 weeks after standard IVIG administration (p less than 0.01). These data indicate different IgG and IgM target levels in LBW infants treated with different immunoglobulin preparations.