Infant Data
Results
INDICATIONS
Post-exposure prophylaxis of varicella. The decision to administer varicella zoster immune globulin depends 3 factors: 1) lack of evidence of immunity, 2) whether exposure is likely to result in infection, and 3) whether the patient is at greater risk for complications than the general population. The following neonatal patients should receive varicella zoster immune globulin following exposure:
- Immunocompromised patients
- Neonates whose mothers have signs and symptoms of varicella from 5 days before to 2 days after delivery.
- Premature infants, exposed anytime during entire period for which they require hospital care for their prematurity, born at less than 28 weeks of gestation or who weigh 1000 g or less at birth, regardless of maternal immunity.
Varicella zoster immune globulin is not recommended for healthy, full-term infants who are exposed postnatally, even if their mothers have no history of varicella infection. Any patient who received varicella zoster immune globulin to prevent varicella infection should receive varicella vaccine, unless contraindicated, at the recommended age.
FDA APPROVED INDICATION
Indicated for post-exposure prophylaxis of varicella in high-risk individuals. High-risk groups include :
- Premature infants
- Newborns of mothers having varicella shortly before or after delivery
- Infants less than 1 year old
- Immunocompromised patients
- Pregnant females
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Contraindicated in IgA-deficient patients with antibodies against IgA and history of hypersensitivity to avoid a possible anaphylactoid reaction.
PRECAUTIONS
In patients with severe thrombocytopenia or any coagulation disorder that would contraindicate IM injection, only administer if the expected benefits outweigh the potential risks. Thrombotic events may occur; those at risk include those with multiple cardiovascular risk factors, impaired cardiac output, coagulation disorders, prolong period of immobilization, and/or know-suspected hyperviscosity.
ADVERSE EFFECTS
The most common adverse effects observed in clinical trials and patients are injection site pain (2%) and headache (2%). Less common adverse effects include chills, fatigue, rash, and nausea.
ADMINISTRATION
- Administer by IM injection only, into the anterolateral aspects of the upper thigh. To avoid sciatic nerve injury, do not use the gluteal region for injection.
- The final concentration of each vial is 100 international units/mL when each vial is reconstituted with 1.25 mL of diluent