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Koenen MH, van Montfrans JM, Prevaes SMPJ, van Engelen MP, van der Vries E, Boes M, Sanders EAM, Bogaert D, Verhagen LM. Antibody deficiencies in children are associated with prematurity and a family history of infections. Pediatr Res 2023; 94:2047-2053. [PMID: 37491587 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-023-02725-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recurrent respiratory tract infections (rRTIs) frequently affect young children and are associated with antibody deficiencies. We investigated the prevalence of and epidemiological risk factors associated with antibody deficiencies in young children with rRTIs and their progression over time, and linked these to prospectively measured RTI symptoms. METHODS We included children <7 years with rRTIs in a prospective cohort study. Patient characteristics associated with antibody deficiencies were identified using multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS We included 146 children with a median age of 3.1 years. Daily RTI symptoms were monitored in winter in n = 73 children and repeated immunoglobulin level measurements were performed in n = 45 children. Antibody deficiency was diagnosed in 56% and associated with prematurity (OR 3.17 [1.15-10.29]) and a family history of rRTIs (OR 2.37 [1.11-5.15]). Respiratory symptoms did not differ between children with and without antibody deficiencies. During follow-up, antibody deficiency diagnosis remained unchanged in 67%, while 18% of children progressed to a more severe phenotype. CONCLUSION Immune maturation and genetic predisposition may lie at the basis of antibody deficiencies commonly observed in early life. Because disease severity did not differ between children with and without antibody deficiency, we suggest symptom management can be similar for all children with rRTIs. IMPACT An antibody deficiency was present in 56% of children <7 years with recurrent respiratory tract infections (rRTIs) in a Dutch tertiary hospital setting. Prematurity and a family history of rRTIs were associated with antibody deficiencies, suggesting that immune maturation and genetic predisposition may lie at the basis of antibody deficiencies in early life. RTI symptoms did not differ between children with and without antibody deficiency, suggesting that symptom management can be similar for all children with rRTIs, irrespective of humoral immunological deficiencies. During follow-up, 18% of children progressed to a more severe phenotype, emphasizing that early diagnosis is warranted to prevent long-term morbidity and increase quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mischa H Koenen
- Center of Translational Immunology, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Joris M van Montfrans
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sabine M P J Prevaes
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Erhard van der Vries
- Department of Research & Development, GD Animal Health, Deventer, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marianne Boes
- Center of Translational Immunology, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth A M Sanders
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Center for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Debby Bogaert
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Center for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Lilly M Verhagen
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Pediatric Celiac Disease and Selective IgA Deficiency: Unexpected Sequence of Events. J Clin Immunol 2022; 42:1342-1346. [PMID: 35701710 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-022-01297-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Selective IgA deficiency (IgAD) is the most common primary immunodeficiency, frequently leading to only minor clinical complaints. IgAD may be associated with autoimmune diseases such as celiac disease (CeD). Although IgAD is thought to precede CeD and autoimmunity, the association between the two conditions has not been clarified. METHODS Routine techniques were used to measure serum IgA and celiac diagnostic markers as transglutaminase 2 IgA (TG2-IgA) and deamidated gliadin IgG and for immunohistochemistry for IgG, IgM, and IgA. RESULTS We report two childhood cases of complete IgA deficiency that evolved after the diagnosis of CeD and the start of a gluten-free diet. Histology showed persistence of IgA in the intestinal mucosa. CONCLUSION Both children with CeD showed IgA deficiency that unexpectedly developed after the initiation of a gluten-free diet. This supports IgA deficiency as a process that develops gradually and occurs due to specific defects in immunoregulation.
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Koenen MH, Bosma M, Roorda UA, Wopereis FM, Roos A, van der Vries E, Bogaert D, Sanders EA, Boes M, Heidema J, van Montfrans JM, Balemans WA, van Holten TC, Verhagen LM. A novel method to standardise serum IgA measurements shows an increased prevalence of IgA deficiency in young children with recurrent respiratory tract infections. Clin Transl Immunology 2021; 10:e1344. [PMID: 34745609 PMCID: PMC8556141 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives While physicians are often confronted with immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency in children with recurrent infections, the clinical relevance of this finding is unclear. Large‐scale studies examining the significance of IgA deficiency in children are hampered by differences in techniques for measuring IgA and the physiological increase of IgA with age. Both result in a variety of reference values used for diagnosing IgA deficiency. We propose a new laboratory‐independent method to accurately compare IgA measurements in children of varying ages. Methods We present a method to standardise IgA values for age and laboratory differences. We applied this method to a multicentre case–control study of children under the age of seven suffering from recurrent respiratory tract infections (rRTI, cases) and children who had IgA measured as part of coeliac disease screening (controls). We defined IgA deficiency as serum IgA measurements < 2.5% for age‐specific reference values. Results We developed reference values for IgA for seven age groups and five different laboratory assays. Using these reference values, IgA measurements from 417 cases and 224 controls were standardised to compare groups. In children aged 2 years and older, IgA deficiency was observed in 2.9% (7/242) of cases and 0% (0/189) of controls (P = 0.02). Conclusion We present a method to compare IgA values in cohorts that vary in age and laboratory assay. This way, we showed that IgA deficiency was more prevalent in children with rRTI compared with controls. This implicates that IgA deficiency may be a clinically relevant condition, even in young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mischa H Koenen
- Center of Translational Immunology University Medical Center Utrecht Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Madeleen Bosma
- Department of Clinical Chemistry St Antonius Hospital Nieuwegein The Netherlands
| | - Udo A Roorda
- Department of Research Data Management Pediatrics, Woman & Baby UMC Utrecht Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Fabiënne My Wopereis
- Department of General Practice University Medical Center Utrecht Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Anja Roos
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology St Antonius Hospital Nieuwegein The Netherlands
| | - Erhard van der Vries
- Department of Research & Development GD Animal Health Deventer The Netherlands.,Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology University Medical Center Utrecht Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Debby Bogaert
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht Utrecht The Netherlands.,Center for Inflammation Research Queen's Medical Research Institute University of Edinburgh Edinburgh UK
| | - Elisabeth Am Sanders
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht Utrecht The Netherlands.,Centre for Infectious Disease Control National Institute of Public Health and the Environment Bilthoven The Netherlands
| | - Marianne Boes
- Center of Translational Immunology University Medical Center Utrecht Utrecht The Netherlands.,Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Jojanneke Heidema
- Department of Pediatrics St Antonius Hospital Nieuwegein The Netherlands
| | - Joris M van Montfrans
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Walter Af Balemans
- Department of Pediatrics St Antonius Hospital Nieuwegein The Netherlands
| | - Thijs C van Holten
- Department of Clinical Chemistry St Antonius Hospital Nieuwegein The Netherlands
| | - Lilly M Verhagen
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht Utrecht The Netherlands.,Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases Laboratory of Medical Immunology Radboud University Medical Center Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases Nijmegen The Netherlands.,Department of Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology Radboud University Medical Center Amalia Children's Hospital Nijmegen The Netherlands
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Koenen MH, van Montfrans JM, Sanders EAM, Bogaert D, Verhagen LM. Immunoglobulin A deficiency in children, an undervalued clinical issue. Clin Immunol 2019; 209:108293. [PMID: 31678364 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2019.108293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is the principal antibody in secretions that bathe the gastrointestinal and respiratory mucosal surfaces and acts as an important first line of defense against invasion of pathogenic micro-organisms. The reported prevalence rate of complete IgA deficiency in healthy children ranges from 1:170 to 1:400, and as a solitary condition, it is often considered of limited clinical importance. However, patients with IgA deficiency can develop recurrent respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, as well as allergic and autoimmune diseases. In children referred for recurrent respiratory tract infections, the observed prevalence rate increases more than tenfold. This review discusses several aspects of IgA deficiency in children, including immunologic and microbiome changes in early childhood and the potential consequences of this condition in later life. It illustrates the importance of early identification of children with impaired IgA production who deserve appropriate clinical care and follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Koenen
- Department of Pediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Lundlaan 6, 3508 AB Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - J M van Montfrans
- Department of Pediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Lundlaan 6, 3508 AB Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - E A M Sanders
- Department of Pediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Lundlaan 6, 3508 AB Utrecht, the Netherlands; Centre for Infectious Disease Control (Cib), National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3720 BA Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
| | - D Bogaert
- Department of Pediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Lundlaan 6, 3508 AB Utrecht, the Netherlands; Center for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Little France Crescent 47, EH16 4TJ Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
| | - L M Verhagen
- Department of Pediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Lundlaan 6, 3508 AB Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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Williams K, Shorser-Gentile L, Sarvode Mothi S, Berman N, Pasternack M, Geller D, Walter J. Immunoglobulin A Dysgammaglobulinemia Is Associated with Pediatric-Onset Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2019; 29:268-275. [PMID: 30892924 PMCID: PMC7227412 DOI: 10.1089/cap.2018.0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Background: Inflammation and immune dysregulation have been implicated in the pathogenesis of pediatric-onset obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and tic disorders such as Tourette syndrome (TS). Though few replicated studies have identified markers of immune dysfunction in this population, preliminary studies suggest that serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) concentrations may be abnormal in these children with these disorders. Methods: This observational retrospective cohort study, conducted using electronic health records (EHRs), identified 206 children with pediatric-onset OCD and 1024 adults diagnosed with OCD who also had testing for serum levels of IgA. IgA deficiency and serum IgA levels in pediatric OCD were compared with IgA levels from children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD; n = 524), tic disorders (n = 157), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; n = 534), anxiety disorders (n = 1206), and celiac disease, a condition associated with IgA deficiency (n = 624). Results: Compared with ASD and anxiety disorder cohorts, the pediatric OCD cohort displayed a significantly higher likelihood of IgA deficiency (OR = 1.93; 95% CI = 1.18-3.16, and OR = 1.98; 95% CI = 1.28-3.06, respectively), though no difference was observed between pediatric OCD and TS cohorts. Furthermore, the pediatric OCD cohort displayed similar rates of IgA deficiency and serum IgA levels when compared with the celiac disease cohort. The pediatric OCD cohort also displayed the highest percentage of IgA deficiency (15%,) when compared with TS (14%), celiac disease (14%), ADHD (13%), ASD (8%), and anxiety disorder (8%) cohorts. When segregated by sex, boys with OCD displayed a significantly higher likelihood of IgA deficiency when compared with all comparison cohorts except for celiac disease and tic disorders; no significant difference in IgA deficiency was observed between female cohorts. Pediatric OCD subjects also displayed significantly lower adjusted serum IgA levels than the ASD and anxiety disorder cohorts. Adults with OCD were also significantly less likely than children with OCD to display IgA deficiency (OR = 2.71; 95% CI = 1.71-4.28). When compared with children with celiac disease, no significant difference in IgA levels or rates of IgA deficiency were observed in the pediatric OCD cohort. Conclusions: We provide further evidence of IgA abnormalities in pediatric-onset OCD. These results require further investigation to determine if these abnormalities impact the clinical course of OCD in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Williams
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Address correspondence to: Kyle Williams, MD, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Simches Research Building, Suite 2000, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114
| | | | - Suraj Sarvode Mothi
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Noah Berman
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mark Pasternack
- Pediatric Infectious Disease Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Daniel Geller
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jolan Walter
- Allergy, Immunology, and Infectious Disease Program, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, Florida
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Moschese V, Chini L, Graziani S, Sgrulletti M, Gallo V, Di Matteo G, Ferrari S, Di Cesare S, Cirillo E, Pession A, Pignata C, Specchia F. Follow-up and outcome of symptomatic partial or absolute IgA deficiency in children. Eur J Pediatr 2019; 178:51-60. [PMID: 30269248 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-018-3248-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Selective IgA deficiency is defined as absolute or partial when serum IgA level is < 7 mg/dl or 2 SD below normal for age, respectively. Few data are available on partial selective IgA deficiency, as probably most children with low serum IgA are seldom referred to a specialist clinic in common pediatric practice. The aim of our study was to better define the profile of both symptomatic forms and their clinical outcome in a pediatric immunology setting. Thus, clinical and immunological data from 103 symptomatic patients with selective IgA deficiency (53 absolute and 50 partial), 4-18 years of age, were collected at diagnosis and 80 patients (44 absolute and 36 partial) were monitored for a mean period of 5 years. Also, the prevalence of TNFRSF13B mutations has been assessed in 56 patients. The most common clinical features were infections (86/103; 83%), allergy (39/103; 38%), and autoimmunity (13/103; 13%). No significative differences were observed between absolute and partial selective IgA deficiency patients. However, a significative difference in the rate of IgA normalization between partial and absolute selective IgA deficiency patients (33 vs 9%, p = 0.01) was detected. Furthermore, a lower incidence of infections was associated to a normalization reversal compared to a final absolute or partial defect status (12 vs 53 and 64% respectively, p < 0.01).Conclusions: Regardless of a diagnosis of absolute or partial defect, monitoring of symptomatic patients with selective IgA deficiency is recommended overtime for prompt identification and treatment of associated diseases. Further, diagnostic workup protocols should be revisited in children with IgA deficiency. What is Known: ● Selective IgA Deficiency is the most common primary immunodeficiency and is usually asymptomatic. ● Symptomatic pediatric patients with selective IgA deficiency mostly suffer with respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. What is New: ● Symptomatic children with partial IgA defect may have similar clinical, immunological, and genetic features than symptomatic children with absolute IgA deficiency. ● Symptomatic children with partial IgA deficiency deserve accurate monitoring for associated diseases as per children with absolute IgA deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Moschese
- Pediatric Immunopathology and Allergology Unit, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Policlinico Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - Loredana Chini
- Pediatric Immunopathology and Allergology Unit, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Policlinico Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Graziani
- Pediatric Immunopathology and Allergology Unit, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Policlinico Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Mayla Sgrulletti
- Pediatric Immunopathology and Allergology Unit, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Policlinico Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Vera Gallo
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences- Section of Pediatrics, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Gigliola Di Matteo
- Pediatric Immunopathology and Allergology Unit, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Policlinico Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Ferrari
- Medical Genetics Unit, S.Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Cesare
- Pediatric Immunopathology and Allergology Unit, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Policlinico Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Emilia Cirillo
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences- Section of Pediatrics, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Pession
- Pediatric Unit, Department of Woman, Child and Urologic Diseases, University of Bologna, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudio Pignata
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences- Section of Pediatrics, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Fernando Specchia
- Pediatric Unit, Department of Woman, Child and Urologic Diseases, University of Bologna, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
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The Challenge of Immunoglobulin-G Subclass Deficiency and Specific Polysaccharide Antibody Deficiency--a Dutch Pediatric Cohort Study. J Clin Immunol 2016; 36:141-8. [PMID: 26846287 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-016-0236-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Immunoglobulin(Ig)G-subclass deficiency and specific polysaccharide antibody deficiency (SPAD) are among the most frequent causes of recurrent respiratory infections in children. Little is known about their prevalence, clinical presentation and prognosis. No study has been published in a Western-European nor in a mainly non-tertiary cohort until now. Therefore, we performed this observational cohort study in children recruited from secondary and tertiary pediatric practices all over The Netherlands. METHODS Dutch pediatricians were monthly asked to report patients with IgG-subclass deficiency and/or SPAD. Demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics were collected. Separate informed consent was asked from parents and children (≥ 12 years of age) for annual update of the medical status. RESULTS 49 children with confirmed IgG-subclass deficiency and/or SPAD were included. The majority of children (69%) was reported by four (out of 12) secondary hospitals with a pediatric immunologist in the staff. 45 children had ≥ 1 low IgG-subclass level and 11 had SPAD. IgG2 deficiency was the most prevalent IgG-subclass deficiency (37/49;76%). 10% of these children already showed bronchiectasis. Two-thirds were male (33/49;67%, p = 0.015). From 10 years of age, only boys were left and only boys showed progressive immunodeficiency during follow-up (11/24; 46%). CONCLUSIONS This is the first Western-European mainly non-tertiary cohort of children with IgG-subclass deficiency and/or SPAD. The disease course is not always benign, especially in boys. Most children were reported and managed in secondary hospitals with a pediatric immunologist in the staff. To identify more patients, the awareness of these diseases among general pediatricians should increase.
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