Clinical trial of single-dose intravenous gamma globulin in acute Kawasaki disease

Article Abstract:

Kawasaki disease, or mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is characterized by sudden fever, swollen tongue and lymph nodes, body rash, joint pain, diarrhea, ear problems and abnormalities in the heart. Aneurysm, a dangerous bulging of blood vessels, occurs in 20 to 25 percent of the children treated with aspirin alone. Studies have shown that gamma globulin, antibodies made in the body to help resist infection, can prevent the heart complications produced by Kawasaki's disease. Gamma globulin, in a dosage of 1 gram per kilogram of body weight, was given to 32 patients in the first two weeks of the disease and was able to shorten the time of illness and prevent heart abnormalities in 27 of them. An increased dose (1.5 to 3 gm per kg) improved symptoms in the remaining five patients. It is suggested that gamma globulin should be given within the first week of illness. The use of gamma globulin in the treatment of Kawasaki's disease is beneficial as well as cost effective. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Drug therapy, Gamma globulins, Kawasaki disease, Kawasaki syndrome

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New developments in the treatment of neutropenia

Article Abstract:

Hematopoietic growth factors (HGFs) and intravenous immune globulin may be effective treatments for neutropenia. Neutropenia is a decrease in the number of certain white blood cells called neutrophils. Many diseases can cause neutropenia, including cancer and HIV infection. HGFs are naturally occurring proteins involved in the formation of blood cells,. Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) are two HGFs that have been tested for treating neutropenia. G-CSF is the first choice for treating children whose neutropenia has led to severe or recurrent infections. Immune globulin is another naturally occurring protein that is administered intravenously to treat autoimmune neutropenia, again when serious infections are involved. Children with neutropenia may be especially susceptible to gum infections, pneumonia and cellulitis.

Care and treatment, Neutropenia, Hematopoietic growth factors

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Antiplatelet antibody testing in thrombocytopenic pregnant women

Article Abstract:

Two types of thrombocytopenia occurring during pregnancy may not be differentiated by current platelet antiglobulin tests. Thrombocytopenia is a condition where abnormally low numbers of platelets are present in the blood. Researchers analyzed blood samples from 160 pregnant women diagnosed with gestational thrombocytopenia and from 90 pregnant women with idiopathic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). The only difference found between the two types of thrombocytopenia was with the amount of indirect immunoglobulin G (IgG). Indirect IgG levels tended to be higher in women with ITP. Women with ITP also were more likely to have antibodies to the platelet glycoprotein complex GPIIb/IIIa. ITP may be the more serious condition as it may cause very low platelet levels in newborns, which may lead to brain hemorrhage.

Diagnosis, Pregnant women, Thrombocytopenia

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