Therapeutic effect of antithymocyte/antilymphocyte globulin on severe aplastic anemia and therapy-related complications / 中国当代儿科杂志
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics
;
(12): 479-481, 2006.
Article
in Chinese
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-357781
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Immunsuppressive therapy is a major therapy for severe aplastic anemia, and antithymocyte /antilymphocyte globulin (ATG/ALG) is usually used. This study investigated the therapeutic effect of ATG/ALG on severe aplastic anemia and explored the management of therapy-related complications.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of 28 children with severe aplastic anemia who received ATG/ALG treatment from December, 1994 through to September, 2005 were analyzed retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 28 patients, 2 were nearly cured (7.1%), 4 were relieved (14.3%) and 12 were improved (42.9%) based on a hemoglobin/white blood cell/platelet count. These results represented an overall effective rate of 64.3%. Clinical evidence of serum sickness developed in 19 patients, manifesting as fever (n = 9), cutaneous eruptions (n = 12), arthralgias (n = 7), myalgia (n = 7) and arthrocele (n = 3). Serum sickness occurred 5-17 days after ATG/ALG administration and lasted for 1-15 days (mean 4.4 days). Three children with mild serum sickness symptoms recovered without any treatment. The symptoms of the other 16 patients disappeared after 3-5 days of methylprednisolone treatment (10 mg/kg daily). However, 3 patients had relapses at 2-4 days after termination of methylprednisolone therapy. Another course of methylprednisolone therapy was administered to the 3 patients until the symptoms disappeared. The patients with no serum sickness or with mild serum sickness had a better response to ATG/ALG therapy than those who had severe serum sickness (100% vs 60%; P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>ATG/ALG therapy for severe aplastic anemia is effective. Serum sickness is a common complication in children with severe aplastic anemia following ATG/ALG therapy, but can be improved by methylprednisolone application.</p>
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Serum Sickness
/
T-Lymphocytes
/
Therapeutic Uses
/
Drug Therapy
/
Allergy and Immunology
/
Anemia, Aplastic
/
Antilymphocyte Serum
Limits:
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Male
Language:
Chinese
Journal:
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics
Year:
2006
Type:
Article
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