Hypogammaglobulinemia in neonates: illustrative cases and review of the literature

• Published in: Journal of perinatology Vol. 44; no. 7; pp. 929 - 934
• Main Authors: Darmawan, Daphne, Raychaudhuri, Sanchita, Lakshminrusimha, Satyan, Dimitriades, Victoria R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Nature Publishing Group US 01-07-2024; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 692/499; 692/699/249/1570; Agammaglobulinemia - complications; Etiology; Female; Humans; Hypogammaglobulinemia; IgG antibody; Immune system; Immunodeficiency; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin G - blood; Immunoglobulins; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous - therapeutic use; Infant, Newborn; Literature reviews; Male; Maternal & child health; Maternal transfer; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neonates; Newborn babies; Pediatric Surgery; Pediatrics; Physiological effects; Review Article; Skin diseases
• ISSN: 0743-8346; 1476-5543; 1476-5543
• DOI: 10.1038/s41372-023-01766-6

This article presents a review of causes of hypogammaglobulinemia in neonates utilizing illustrative cases to demonstrate commonly seen conditions. Overall, the causes of low immunoglobulin level can be divided into three main categories: decreased maternal transfer or production (due to physiological nadir, transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy, medication effects, or immunodeficiency), increased loss of immunoglobulins (from the gastrointestinal (GI) system, lymphatics, kidneys, skin disease, or blood loss) or destruction/suppression (from medication effects). Treatment of hypogammaglobulinemia is generally tailored to the underlying cause and condition of the patient. This can be through supportive care, prophylactic measures, or with immunoglobulin G (IgG) replacement at the recommendation of an immunologist.