Outcomes of Kawasaki Disease: A Single-Center Experience.

OBJECTIVES: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology. Coronary artery lesions (CAL) develop in 15% to 20% of untreated cases. Our objective was to evaluate demographic, clinical, and laboratory features and short-intermediate coronary artery outcomes of children with KD.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical records of patients with KD were retrospectively identified. Clinical information and echocardiography, laboratory, and angiographic results were noted using a standardized form.

RESULTS: The study included 44 patients with a mean age of the 29.72 ± 21 months (ranging from 1 month to 9.5 years). There were 28 male and 16 female patients; 20 patients were diagnosed as having had incomplete KD. Four cases with atypical presentation were significantly older than children with complete and incomplete KD; 17 patients (38.6 %) had coronary artery aneurysm (CAA), which declined to 6.8% after intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment. Time between fever and diagnosis and abnormal levels of hemoglobin and platelets were all associated with CAA. The children were followed up for a mean of 36.39 ± 19 months (with a maximum of 16 years). Angiographic evolution and regression of CALs have been observed in 14 (82.3%) patients. Three patients in whom CALs persisted did not receive IVIG therapy because of delayed diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of KD in children has led to an increase in the number of cases. Utility of IVIG treatment to reduce the coronary artery involvement in patients with delayed diagnoses should be discussed and considered. Long-term results are required to assess whether the KD represents a risk factor for coronary artery diseases seen during adulthood.