A case report of pregnancy in a patient with common variable immunodeficiency emphasizing the need for personalized immunoglobulin replacement.

RATIONALE

Subcutaneous immunoglobulin administration facilitated by recombinant human hyaluronidase is a new mode of immunoglobulin replacement. It has been approved for treatment in primary and secondary antibody immunodeficiency. To date, it has not been reported in the literature as therapy of choice during pregnancy.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We report a 31-year-old woman with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) followed during her first pregnancy.

DIAGNOSES

The patient had a history of increased susceptibility to infections and autoimmune phenomena. From diagnosis at the age 29, she received IVIg replacement with partial response to treatment. Due to medical indications and lack of venous access, we had to search for another mode of application. The patient refused traditional, weekly conventional subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) administration.

INTERVENTIONS

Immunoglobulin replacement therapy was successfully continued during pregnancy after the IV route was replaced with subcutaneous administration facilitated by recombinant human hyaluronidase. The frequency of infusions was every 3-4 weeks.

OUTCOMES

The treatment was effective and well tolerated by the patient who continued it after delivery. Dosage and the schedule of infusions provided sufficient immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels for the newborn baby.

LESSONS

The presented CVID case illustrates that the selection of the mode of immunoglobulin administration has to be a shared decision, which considers both patient preferences and medical needs. This approach is especially important for the pregnancy period. The case shows that the switch from IVIg to fSCIg can be a management option during pregnancy.