Comparison of the Therapeutic Effect of Anti-D IG and IVIG in Children with Acute Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura Attending a Children’s Medical Center: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Clinical Trial

This study aimed at comparing the therapeutic effect of anti-D immunoglobulin (anti-D IG) and Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) in children with acute immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Methods: This Randomized double-blind, controlled clinical trial was conducted on 98 children attending a Children’s medical center during year 2008. The selected participants were allocated to IVIG and anti-D IG groups using the balanced-block randomization method. The platelet count, hemoglobin level, and side effects of the medications were evaluated on days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 after drug injection. Results: After drug injection, the platelet count increased in both groups (P < 0.001) yet there was no difference between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). The hemoglobin level also decreased after injection in both groups (P < 0.001) and the decrease was similar in both groups (P > 0.05). Regarding the ability of the drugs to increase the platelet count, 56% of the patients in the anti-D IG group and 52% of the children in the IVIG groups had platelet counts of more than 20 000 during the 24 hours after drug administration with no difference between the 2 groups (P = 0.836). The incidence of drug adverse effects, including fever and chills (4.1% in the anti-D group versus 10.4% in the IVIG group), severe hemolysis (4.5% in the anti D group versus 0% in the IVIG group) and headache (6.25% in the anti-D group versus 4.1% in the IVIG group), had no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Intravenous Immunoglobulin and anti-D have similar effectiveness in the treatment of children with acute ITP. Considering the fewer side effects of anti-D, it may be a suitable replacement for IVIG in ITP patients.