Systematic review of intravenous immunoglobulin in haemolytic disease of the newborn
- Correspondence to:
Dr Gottstein, Neonatal Unit, Liverpool Women’s Hospital, Crown Street, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK;
rgottstein{at}btinternet.com
- Accepted 23 April 2002
Abstract
Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of high dose intravenous immunoglobulin (HDIVIG) in reducing the need for exchange transfusion in neonates with proven haemolytic disease due to Rh and/or ABO incompatibility. To assess the effectiveness of HDIVIG in reducing the duration of phototherapy and hospital stay.
Design: Systematic review of randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing HDIVIG and phototherapy with phototherapy alone in neonates with Rh and/or ABO incompatibility.
Results: Significantly fewer infants required exchange transfusion in the HDIVIG group (relative risk (RR) 0.28 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17 to 0.47); number needed to treat 2.7 (95% CI 2.0 to 3.8)). Also hospital stay and duration of phototherapy were significantly reduced.
Conclusion: HDIVIG is an effective treatment.
- IVIG, intravenous immunoglobulin
- HDIVIG, high dose IVIG
- HDN, haemolytic disease of the newborn
- RR, relative risk
- RD, risk difference
- WMD, weighted mean difference
- CI, confidence interval
- NNT, number needed to treat
