Hypogammaglobulinemia in pediatric ICU patients.

The authors retrospectively review their experience with low immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels in a pediatric ICU population over a 12-month period. The total IgG level was below the normal for age in 14 of the 20 patients. The 14 patients with a low IgG level were younger and weighed less when compared with the 6 patients who had a normal IgG level. There was no difference in the risk of mortality between the 2 groups. In the 14 patients with an IgG level less than normal for age, the IgG level was 33% to 99% of normal, with 4 patients having a level less than 50% of normal for their age. Prospective trials are needed to determine the incidence of this problem, its impact on survival, and the appropriate therapy in the pediatric ICU population.