**11. Prognosis**

The immunologic phenotypes of specific antibody deficiency may be transient or permanent. Transient forms are common in children two to five years of age. Even in permanent phenotypes, the natural history of specific antibody deficiency is usually benign with proper management of these patients.

Reassessment of antibody-mediated immunity should always be performed after discontinuation of IVIG therapy and in patients with recurrent infections. In particular, older patients with selective antibody deficiencies with normal immunoglobulin concentrations should be monitored closely, as they may eventually develop common variable immunodeficiency.

Further insights into the pathogenesis of this immunodeficiency by studying larger numbers of patients will allow further understanding of the correlation between immunologic and clinical phenotypes of specific antibody deficiency. Further study will result in a more reliable assessment of the risk for persistent immune abnormalities and recurrent sinopulmonary infections in subgroups of these patients.
