Evaluation of serum immunoglobulin levels in children with repetitive pneumonias

Abstract

Pneumonias are a frequent reason of pediatric consultation and one of the main causes of hospitalization. One of the clinical complications of immunoglobulin deficit is pneumonia. The criteria of the Jeffrey Modell Foundation suggest two pneumonias in one year as alarm signs. The objectives of this work was to evaluate the immunoglobulin serum levels in children with repetitive pneumonias. Forty three children that attended the Immunology Department of the Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud from April 2000 to July 2007 were studied. After obtaining the parental consent, blood samples and clinical data of each patient were collected. The immunoglobulin levels were determined by radial immunodifussion. The mean age of the patients was 4.9± 3.9 years, 33% (14/43) were women and 67% (29/43) were men. Of the total population, 9% (4/43) presented IgA levels below 5 mg/dl and no IgA levels were determined in 2% (1/43). IgG levels below 400 mg/dl were found in 5% (2/43) and IgM levels above 250 mg/dl were found in 7% (3/43) of the patients. Two patients presented agammaglobulinemia, three presented hiper IgM syndrome and one IgA deficit. The results show the importance of performing an immunologic evaluation of patients with repetitive pneumonias to rule out a primary immunodeficiency in order to provide an appropriate treatment and a better quality of life to these patients