[Treatment with immunoglobulins (author's transl)]

Passive immunisation by injecting gamma-globulin prepared from a large donor pool or specific antibodies from selected single donors is of great importance in daily practice for prophylaxis. An example is given for each of the 3 most important indications: a) gamma-Globulin for viral disease (e.g. measles prophylaxis); b) Antitoxic immunoglobulins (e.g. tetanus prophylaxis); c) Rhesus-anti-D-gamma-globulin for prophylaxis of rhesus sensitization. In contrast, substitution with great amounts of gammg-globulin is of little importance for the practizing paediatrician, since such cases are rare. This is the domain of the specialist who should be consulted for planning the therapeutic procedure. Data are given on immunoglobulin preparations commercially available and their application. Side effects are listed. They are particularly severe and dangerous in patients with profound hypo-gamma-globulinemia.