Trends in anti-D immune globulin for childhood immune thrombocytopenia: usage, response rates, and adverse effects

Am J Hematol. 2012 Mar;87(3):315-7. doi: 10.1002/ajh.22261. Epub 2011 Dec 21.

Abstract

In 2010, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) added a black box warning to anti-D immune globulin (Rho(D) immune globulin, anti-D) for immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) to warn of the complications related to severe hemolysis. The objective of this retrospective medical record review was to examine recent trends in anti-D use to treat ITP and rates of adverse events in a single large pediatric hematology program. Over a 7-year period, 176 (35%) of 502 ITP patients at our center received anti-D. Anti-D was the second most commonly prescribed drug for ITP from 2003 to 2010 overall and was given first most frequently (41%). Sixty-four percent of patients responded to anti-D, but 36% had adverse effects, including five patients requiring hospitalization. From 2003 to 2010, the use of anti-D as an initial therapy for ITP significantly decreased (P < 0.001). This trend preceded the 2010 FDA black box warning. In our experience, anti-D was associated with a significant number of adverse effects when used as a treatment for ITP, although none were life-threatening. Despite recent guidelines suggesting anti-D therapy for initial treatment for ITP, anti-D therapy for ITP has significantly decreased over the past 7 years.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Hemolytic / chemically induced*
  • Anemia, Hemolytic / epidemiology
  • Boston / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cohort Studies
  • Drug Utilization / trends
  • Female
  • Hemorrhage / chemically induced*
  • Hemorrhage / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Immunization, Passive*
  • Male
  • Nausea / chemically induced
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / therapy*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Rho(D) Immune Globulin / adverse effects*
  • Rho(D) Immune Globulin / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Rho(D) Immune Globulin