HIGH-DOSE IMMUNOGLOBULIN THERAPY IN SEVERE JUVENILE CHRONIC ARTHRITIS - LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP IN 16 PATIENTS

Sixteen children with severe juvenile chronic arthritis received high dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVGG). Extra-articular symptoms improved to some degree in 6 of ten patients. A decrease in the number of active joints occurred in 7 patients of the 11 who received more than ten months of IVGG. Hemoglobin levels increased, the ESR and platelet counts decreased and the IgG levels diminished in most of the patients who received long term treatment. The treatment was totally ineffective in three children who had very severe disease. Two children had respectively a vasculitic rash and urticaria thought to be side effects of the treatment. One had proteinuria. This last might have been due to other therapeutic agents given. Although clinical and biological benefits occurred in some, the state of the patients who had short term (m = 2-3 months) or long term (m = 2-7 years) therapy was not different at the last visit.