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Am J Perinatol 2014; 31(10): 905-912
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1363771
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Role of Pentoxifylline and/or IgM-Enriched Intravenous Immunoglobulin in the Management of Neonatal Sepsis

Arzu Akdag
1   Department of Neonatology, Zekai Tahir Burak Maternity and Teaching Hospital Ankara, Turkey
,
Ugur Dilmen
1   Department of Neonatology, Zekai Tahir Burak Maternity and Teaching Hospital Ankara, Turkey
,
Khalide Haque
2   Department of Paediatrics, Taibah University, Taibah University Medina, Medina, Saudi Arabia
,
Dilek Dilli
1   Department of Neonatology, Zekai Tahir Burak Maternity and Teaching Hospital Ankara, Turkey
,
Omer Erdeve
1   Department of Neonatology, Zekai Tahir Burak Maternity and Teaching Hospital Ankara, Turkey
,
Tuelin Goekmen
1   Department of Neonatology, Zekai Tahir Burak Maternity and Teaching Hospital Ankara, Turkey
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

04 October 2013

15 November 2013

Publication Date:
10 February 2014 (online)

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Abstract

Objective To investigate the effectivity of pentoxifylline (PTX) and immunoglobulin M (IgM)-enriched intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy in the treatment of neonatal sepsis (NS), alone or in combination.

Study design This was a prospective, double-blind, controlled study. Newborns with suspicion of sepsis were enrolled in the study. The patients were separated into four groups according to treatment protocol: Group 1 = placebo, Group 2 = pentoxifylline, Group 3 = IgM-enriched IVIG, and Group 4 = pentoxifylline + IgM-enriched IVIG. Blood samples were taken for C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, neutrophil CD64 expression, and tumor necrosis factor-alfa measurements immediately before treatment (1st day), and measurements were repeated on the 2nd and 4th days of the therapy.

Results A total of 204 patients, 51 in each group, were recruited into the study. There were no significant differences for symptoms of sepsis among groups, except lethargy. No significant differences were observed among the groups according to laboratory data. Overall mortality rate was 8.8%. The rates of morbidities and mortality among study groups were similar.

Conclusion PTX and IgM-enriched IVIG therapies, either alone or in combination, did not reduce the rates of morbidities and mortality in NS.

Keywords

sepsis - newborn - pentoxifylline - IgM-enriched intravenous immunoglobulin
 

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