Objectives: To compare the effects on Kawasaki disease (KD) of 3 different intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG) regimens and coronary complication rates in children with Kawasaki disease (KD).
Methods: The clinical data of 1052 children with KD treated in 45 hospitals in Beijing from 2000 through 2004, 680 male and 372 female, aged 2 months-13.8 years, 656 (60.1%) undergoing IVIG 2 g/kg for one dose (single dose group), 292 (26.7%) undergoing 1 g.kg(-1).d(-1) for 2 days (2 d group), and 104 (9.5%) undergoing 400 - 600 mg.kg(-1).d(-1) for 4 - 5 d (4 - 5 d group) in addition of oral administration of aspirin, were analyzed retrospectively. Echocardiography was used to assess the occurrence of coronary complications 1 - 2 weeks after onset (acute stage) and 3 - 6 weeks after onset (sub-acute stage).
Results: The rate of IVIG non-responder of the 2 d group was 20.9%, significantly higher than those of the single dose group and 4 - 5 d group (9.9% and 8.7% respectively, both P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in rates of coronary complication, pericardial effusion, and mitral regurgitation at the acute stage among the 3 groups (all P > 0.05). However, the rates of coronary complication and of coronary aneurysm at the sub-acute stage of the single dose group were 5.1% and 1.6%, significantly lower than those of the 4 - 5 d group (11.6% and 4.7%) and 2 d group (9.8% and 5.4%, P = 0.035 - 0.047) were significantly lower in single dose group (5.1% and 1.6%) as compared to those in 4 - 5 d group and (11.6% and 4.7%) and 2 d group (9.8% and 5.4%) (P = 0.035 - 0.047).
Conclusion: IVIG 2 g/kg in a single dose has lower rates of coronary complications and IVIG non-responders in children with KD, and is recommended for initial KD therapy.