Virginia Research Day 2025

Medical Student Research Case Reports

10 Transformative Impact of Monthly IVIG Therapy in a Pediatric Patient with Common Variable Immunodeficiency

Kaylie Ward; Wayne Tate; Paige O’Brien Daly, MA; Zairha G. Snider, MD Corresponding author: kward03@vcom.edu

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Virginia Campus

tract infections, including recurrent otitis media, sinusitis, and pneumonia, from early childhood. Despite multiple tympanostomy tube placements, sinus surgeries, and prolonged prophylactic antibiotic use, the infections persisted. Immunologic evaluation revealed mildly low serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, with a poor vaccine response, leading to a diagnosis of CVID. Monthly IVIG infusions were initiated at a dose of 400 mg/kg. Following the initiation of IVIG therapy, the patient experienced a marked reduction in the frequency and severity of infections. Over 12 months of follow-up, no further hospitalizations or surgical interventions were required, and the patient demonstrated improved quality of life with fewer school absences.

Background: Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) is a primary immunodeficiency disorder characterized by low immunoglobulin levels and an increased susceptibility to recurrent infections. In pediatric patients, delayed diagnosis can lead to significant morbidity, often requiring surgical interventions and prolonged use of antibiotics without successful resolution. This case highlights the successful management of a 7-year old child with CVID using monthly intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy after years of failed surgical interventions and antibiotic prophylaxis. Case Presentation: A 7-year-old girl presented with a history of recurrent upper and lower respiratory

Conclusion: This case demonstrates the critical role of early recognition and diagnosis of CVID in pediatric patients presenting with recurrent infections. IVIG therapy proved to be an effective treatment for managing this patient’s immune deficiency, offering significant clinical improvement where previous surgical and antibiotic measures had failed. Regular IVIG infusions can provide long-term infection control and improved outcomes in pediatric CVID cases. The authors received patient consent to use their data for this report.

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