Treatment:

No specific treatment is available. Some people gradually develop normal levels of IgA without treatment.

Individual infections should be treated with appropriate antibiotics. In some cases, longer courses of antibiotics may be needed to prevent infections from coming back.

Those with selective IgA deficiency who also have IgG subclass deficiencies benefit from immunogloulin (IVIG) treatments given through a vein.

Autoimmune disease treatment is based on the specific problem.

NOTE: People without any IgA may develop anti-IgA antibodies if given blood products and IVIG. This may lead to allergies or life-threatening anaphylactic shock. These individuals can safely be given IgA-depleted IVIG.

Expectations (prognosis):

Selective IgA deficiency is less harmful than many other immunodeficiency diseases.

Some people with IgA deficiency will recover on their own and begin to produce IgA in larger quantities over a period of years.

Complications:

An autoimmune disorder, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, and celiac sprue may develop.

Patients with IgA deficiency may develop antibodies to IgA, and can have severe, even life-threatening reactions to transfusions of blood and blood products. If transfusions are necessary, washed cells may be cautiously given.

Calling your health care provider:

Consider genetic counseling if there is a family history of selective IgA deficiency and you plan to have children.

If you have an IgA deficiency, be sure to mention it to the provider if IVIG or other blood-component transfusions are suggested as a treatment for any condition.