Treatment of human immunodeficiency virus antibody positive children with intravenous immunoglobulin

Five human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody positive children developed recurrent infections requiring multiple hospital admissions. These comprised mainly upper respiratory tract infections, otitis media, pneumonia and diarrhoea, and there was failure to thrive despite adequate antibiotic therapy. They were commenced on iv immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy and are now relatively free of serious infections and are gaining weight. This therapy was associated with a major reduction in the hospitalization required. In HIV antibody positive children the onset of serious infections, particularly with encapsulated gram-positive organisms, should be taken as an indication for the commencement of regular iv infusions of immunoglobulin.