Subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy in an 11-year-old patient with common variable immunodeficiency and von Willebrand disease.

BACKGROUND

Subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) is an option for replacement therapy in patients with humoral immune deficiencies.

OBJECTIVE

To describe a patient with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) and von Willebrand disease who tolerated immunoglobulin replacement via the subcutaneous route.

METHODS

An 11-year-old boy receiving monthly intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) since 5 years of age presented to an academic medical center after moving to the area. The patient also had a history of von Willebrand disease. He had started receiving IVIG because of recurrent infections and an absent IgG subclass 3. Further immunologic assessment revealed a normal B-cell count, decreased IgM level, and an abnormal response to bacteriophage phiX174. Given these findings and the lack of another cause, the patient was diagnosed as having CVID. Because of difficult intravenous access, a port was placed for IVIG administration in 1999. The initial port was removed because of infectious complications, and a second port was found to be distally displaced in the right atrium, requiring removal.

RESULTS

Continued difficulties with intravenous access and the potential complications with maintaining a long-term indwelling catheter prompted consideration of alternative methods for immunoglobulin administration. After removal of the port, the patient was prescribed weekly SCIG infusions. He tolerated the infusions well without bleeding complications related to the von Willebrand disease and was able to transition to home infusions.

CONCLUSIONS

SCIG was well tolerated by a pediatric patient with CVID and von Willebrand disease without any significant bleeding complications.