Intravenous immune globulin in symptomatic paediatric human immunodeficiency virus infection

Seven paediatric patients with symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection were prospectively studied for 6-24 months after the start of intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) therapy. There was substantial clinical benefit during IVIG treatment with marked reduction of febrile and infectious episodes, normalization of physical and psychomotor development, and absence of mortality. The immunologic monitoring revealed some discrete objective improvements. The results of this study favourably compare to previous reports. It is concluded that IVIG should be standard therapy for symptomatic childhood HIV infection.