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Hypogammaglobulinemia in neonates: illustrative cases and review of the literature

Journal of Perinatology (2023)Cite this article

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Abstract

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.

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Fig. 1: Neonatal Immunoglobulin levels.
Fig. 2: Causes of neonatal hypogammaglobulinemia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA

    Daphne Darmawan & Sanchita Raychaudhuri

  2. Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA

    Satyan Lakshminrusimha

  3. Division of Pediatric Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA

    Victoria R. Dimitriades

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  1. Daphne Darmawan
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Correspondence to Victoria R. Dimitriades.

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Darmawan, D., Raychaudhuri, S., Lakshminrusimha, S. et al. Hypogammaglobulinemia in neonates: illustrative cases and review of the literature. J Perinatol (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-023-01766-6

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