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[IgA deficiency: clinical and laboratory evaluation of 60 patients from the "Instituto da Criança"]
A S Grumach1, C M Jacob, A C Pastorino
1Departamento de Pediatria da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, SP.
Objectives:
To evaluate the main clinical findings that suggest DIgA and describe the complications observed.
Patients And Method:
Sixty IgA deficient patients (IgA < 5mg/dl) were included, retrospectively. They were submitted to clinical evaluation and specific laboratorial tests. Their evolution was followed up to 15 years.
Results:
The main complaints were: recurrent infections (50%), allergies (34%) or autoimmune diseases (10%). The respiratory system was the most affected by infections, and asthma and rhinitis were the most frequent allergic symptoms. No immunological impairment was detected, except for IgA deficiency. IgG and IgM levels were elevated in 50% of the patients. There was improvement of clinical symptoms and some of the patients became asymptomatic during the follow-up.
Conclusion:
IgA deficiency has a large clinical spectrum and early diagnosis would indicate prophylaxis for infections and allergy.