Intramuscular and intravenous administration of immunoglobulin to patients with hypogammaglobulinemia.

Hypogammaglobulinemia patients, who seem to be more numerous than previously known, have an unacceptable diagnostic delay of 12 years. They often get insufficient Ig prophylaxis, frequently due to the side effects caused by the im administration. A new Ig preparation for IV use has been utilized, which is much more acceptable to the patients, causing very few side effects. In contrast to im preparations, IV immunoglobulin can be used at high doses, quickly normalizing the patient's serum IgG level, and seems to permit longer intervals between infusions during long-term prophylaxis.