Blood component and immunotherapy in neonatal sepsis

The future role of IVIG remains unclear. Many, but not all, studies indicate efficacy in the prevention of late-onset disease in premature infants. The role of type-specific IVIG is evolving and may hold promise for both prevention and treatment of neonatal sepsis. Granulocyte transfusions, as adjuvant therapy in neonatal sepsis, seem to be beneficial. However, the difficulty and expense of collection, as well as the advent of colony-stimulating factors, have shifted the focus away from their routine use. Colony-stimulating factors present varied and exciting potential uses, including modulating neonatal hematopoiesis. Current studies are primarily aimed at understanding their effects on neonatal hematopoiesis. Future studies will need to expand on this knowledge and examine what effects they have on treating or preventing neonatal sepsis.