Monthly treatment with intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG) may improve hyperactivity, inappropriate speech, irritability, lethargy, and stereotypy in children with autism.

This open retrospective study included 27 children with autism, who had failed to show improvement with dietary elimination of dairy and gluten, vitamin and mineral supplementation, and behavioral educational therapies. Previous studies have suggested that children with autism may have immunological disorders. The group of children in this study had many signs of an overly strong immune response including a high level of antibodies to myelin basic protein, thyroid, and DNA. IVIG is an approved immunological therapy that is considered to be safe for individuals with autoimmune diseases. The authors found that IVIG therapy for six months resulted in improvement in all measured aberrant behaviors.