Intravenous immunoglobulin in pediatrics: A review.

There has been a rapid expansion of the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for an ever-growing number of conditions. IVIG is used at a 'replacement dose' (400-600 mg/kg/month) in antibody deficiencies and is used at a high dose (2 g/kg) as an 'immunomodulatory' agent in an increasing number of immune and inflammatory disorders.(1) The limitations for IVIG are the cost of the preparation and the need for intravenous infusions. Due to the cost, shortages and growing use of IVIG there have been attempts to develop evidence-based guidelines for the use of IVIG in a wide variety of immune disorders in children and neonates. This commentary provides the recommendations and recent publication regarding the use of IVIG in various conditions in children.