New-onset Hypogammaglobulinemia and Infectious Complications Associated with Rituximab Use in Childhood-onset Rheumatic Diseases.

Although rituximab was well tolerated in terms of infectious complications in the majority of patients with childhood-onset rheumatic diseases, a substantial proportion developed new-onset hypogammaglobulinemia and infectious complications following treatment. Our study highlights a role for heightened vigilance of rituximab-associated hypogammaglobulinemia and infections in pediatric patients with rheumatic conditions.