Researchers found that during the 6-month study, patients had fewer hospitalizations for asthma attacks than in the 6 months prior to the study, even though they used less glucocorticoids, known generally as steroids. While steroid-insensitive patients must take higher doses to achieve minimal control of their disease, they also may become dependent on the medication to breathe normally. Researchers found that by taking IVIG in conjunction with glucocorticoids, patients could use less glucocorticoids more efficiently. Long-term use of glucocorticoids can stunt growth in children or cause osteoporosis, while IVIG has few side effects. In addition, lowering the amount of steroids a patient takes reduces side effects and the patient's quality of life improves dramatically.
Glucocorticoids reduce inflammation in the lungs.
IVIG is an antibody that is removed from the plasma portion of blood and is concentrated for use as a medication. NewsNet Children's Art Museum Dedicated to care and discovery.