Treatment of neutropenia with intravenous immunoglobulin in autoimmune neutropenia of childhood

Five patients (2 boys, 3 girls) with autoimmune neutropenia (AIN) which developed mainly in infancy were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and followed up for 69-95 months. AIN was proved by positive antineutrophil antibodies detected by a granulocyte agglutination test. Of these five patients, three patients experienced septicemia prior to treatment. These patients also had several episodes of upper respiratory tract infection, acute otitis media, skin infection and enterocolitis. Basically, IVIG 2 g/kg was given intravenously for each course of treatment. The neutrophil counts increased significantly in all patients with the initial IVIG therapy and two patients went into remission. Subsequent infusions also caused neutrophil counts to increase. Although many patients with AIN have a benign course, those who have significant infections could be treated, acutely or preventively, with IVIG.