Efficacy of High-dose Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy for Hyperbilirubinemia Due Rh Hemolytic Disease

The use of intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) therapy has been reported in hyperbilirubinemia of Rh hemolytic disease but we don't have enough evidences for it. Human Immunoglobulin is considered an alternative to delay the hemolytic process and consequently reduce the number of exchange transfusions and transfusions of red cells concentrate, thus diminishing the risk of transmitting transfusional therapies-related diseases. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of IVIG in decreasing the incidence and severity of neonatal immune hemolytic jaundice due to Rh hemolytic disease reducing the need for exchange transfusion as a primary goal in these babies. METHODS: This will be a randomized, double blind, clinical trial involving all newborns with risk of significant hyperbilirubinemia due to direct Coombs-positive Rh hemolytic disease. The primary goal will be need for exchange transfusion and others are: incidence of late anemia, kernicterus and deafness Babies were randomly assigned into two groups: group 1 (study group) received phototherapy plus IVIG (500 mg/kg); and group 2 (control group) received phototherapy and normal saline solution (10 ml/Kg) in the first 6 hours of life. Exchange transfusion was carried out in any group if at any time the bilirubin level reached 340 micromol/l (20 mg/dl) or more, or rose by 8.5 micromol/l per h (0.5 mg/dl per h). Adverse effects will be related in two groups. Parents informed consent will be asked in pre-natal time.