Efficacy of Prophylactic IgM-Enriched Immunoglobulin for the Management of Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis in Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Neonates; A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized-controlled trial conducted in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia aims to determine the efficacy of prophylactic IgM-Enriched IVIG in preventing EONS. A total of 70 very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates with risk factors for EONS including maternal factors of premature rupture of membrane (PROM), fever, urinary tract infection (UTI), chorioamnionitis, and neonatal factor of prematurity and resuscitation history will be collected. These neonates within 1 hour of life will then be administered either placebo or IgM-enriched IVIG 0.25g/kg/day for 3 days, in addition to first-line empiric antibiotic. Randomization is done using simple randomization. Triple masking (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor) is conducted.

These neonates will then be clinically observed and evaluated for early mortality (mortality below 7 days), hemodynamics, length of stay, blood culture results, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), IT ratio, routine hematological examination, and IgGAME as parameters of improvement and prevention of EONS.

STATA version 12 (Macintosh version) will be used for data management and statistical analyses. The variables will first be presented descriptively, continued with bivariate and multivariate analysis. Bivariate analysis will be conducted between independent and dependent variables using chi-square/Fisher's exact test, Student's t-test, and Kruskal-Wallis. Variables with p-values <0.25 will be included in the multivariate analysis using logistic regression. The investigators will use two-sided p-values in our analysis with a p < 0.05 level of significance.