A group of scientists have conducted a clinical trial to determine the role of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in the management of neonatal sepsis.
Neonatal Sepsis
Neonatal sepsis refers to an infection involving the bloodstream in newborn infants less than 28 days old. It is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among infants, especially in middle and lower-income countries. Researchers have been searching for ways to reduce the risk of neonatal sepsis and one such option is IVIG.Immunoglobulins are the antibodies produced naturally by the body’s immune system, which help fight infection and disease. Intravenous immunoglobulin, or IVIG, is a treatment that combines immunoglobulins donated by different people to treat various conditions. So essentially, IVIG is a pooled mixture of antibodies derived from different people and can potentially improve the immunity of the recipient.
Clinical Trial
The researchers wanted to find a better treatment for neonatal sepsis. This infection can be really dangerous for babies, and doctors have been using different medicines to treat it. The clinical trial was conducted to see if IVIG could be beneficial for these septic neonates.The clinical trial involved 80 neonates with clinical features of sepsis. These patients were divided into two groups: one group received 500 mg/kg IVIG while the other group received a placebo. The primary outcome measure was the duration of hospital stay in days. The babies in both groups were comparable in terms of birth weight, gestation, and sex distribution.