Comparative study of subcutaneous versus intravenous IgG replacement therapy in pediatric patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases: a multicenter study in Argentina.

PURPOSE

Several studies have shown that subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) infusions demonstrate similar efficacy to intravenous Ig (IVIG) in preventing infections in patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID), and are safe and well tolerated in this population. This open, prospective/retrospective, multicenter study was designed to compare the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of a 16 % liquid human IgG preparation (Beriglobina P), administered SC, with previous IVIG treatment in PID pediatric patients in Argentina.

METHODS

Fifteen subjects were enrolled in the study, and a total of 13 subjects (aged 6-18 years) completed the 36-week SCIG treatment period. All children had previously received IVIG treatment. The dose of SCIG equaled the previous IVIG dose and subjects received an average weekly dose of 139 mg/kg (range 105-181) during the SCIG period.

RESULTS

Significantly higher serum IgG trough levels were recorded on SCIG treatment at 16, 24, and 36 weeks, when compared with previous IgG trough levels on steady-state IVIG treatment. The annualized infection rate was 1.4 infections/subject/year during the IVIG administration period compared with 0.4 infections/subject/year during the SCIG period. All subjects who completed the study chose to continue administering SCIG at home after the study had ended.

CONCLUSIONS

These data confirm that self-administered SCIG therapy is a well-tolerated and effective alternative to IVIG therapy for children with PID.