Background Immunological disturbances which may be treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IvIg) play a significant role in the majority of patients with recurrent miscarriage (RM). The present study aimed to review the current knowledge about IvIg treatment in RM primarily based on results from published placebo controlled trials. Seven placebo controlled trials were identified comprising a total of 343 patients. The background variables, the treatment protocols and the results were extremely different between the trials. Among the patients with secondary RM, a meta analysis showed that the pooled odds ratio for live birth among IvIg treated women compared with women infused with placebo was 1.69 (95 % CI = 0.72～3.96, not significant). IvIg also seemed to be efficacious in patients with repeated second trimester intrauterine fetal deaths. A new big placebo controlled trial should be conducted which focus on RM patients with secondary RM or recurrent second trimester fetal deaths. Sufficient IvIg doses should be given with optimal time intervals.