Kawasaki disease (KD) is the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) may significantly lower the frequency of coronary artery complications. However, some patients do not respond to initial therapy and are at higher risk of developing coronary artery lesion. A retrospective analysis of data from 419 KD patients was performed. The patients were divided into IVIG responders (n = 318) and IVIG nonresponders (n = 101). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed neutrophil percentage, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, heart rate, and body temperature were independent predictors of IVIG resistance. We generated a predictive scoring system by assigning 1 point for the presence of these parameters (neutrophil >80%, albumin <3.4 g/dL, aspartate aminotransferase >100 IU/L, heart rate >146 bpm, and body temperature >38.8°C). This scoring system had a sensitivity of 76.2% and specificity of 64.8%, and a positive predictive value of 40.1% and a negative predictive value of 89.4%. Vital signs may be helpful to detect KD patients with IVIG resistance.
Keywords: Kawasaki disease; immunoglobulin resistance; risk score; vital signs.