Abstract
We studied effects of intravenous gammmaglobulin therapy (IVGG) combined with dexamethasone (DEX) for the initial treatment of acute Kawasaki disease(KD). Prospectively studied 33 KD patients received total of 2g/kg IVGG for consecutive 4-5days plus 0.3mg/kg DEX for consecutive 3days (group 1). Retrospectively studied 33 KD patients received standard IVGG therapy (2g/kg IVGG for consecutive 4-5days)(group 2) were compared to analyze the efficacy and safety of the new regimen. There were no differences in age, sex, body weight, duration of illness, or given doses of gammmaglobulin between those two groups. Clinical no responders to the initial treatment received additive IVGG treatment. Informed consent was obtained from children's parents before therapy. No serious adverse effect was noted in both groups. The duration of high fever after the start of initial treatment in group1(1-12 days) was shorter than in group 2 (1-16 days)(p=0.07, by Mann-Whitney U-test). Two patients in group 1 and two patients in group 2 developed small coronary aneurysms. Although further analysis using larger numbers of patients are necessary to confirm the efficacy of this new regimen, we preriminaly demonstrated that IVGG combined with DEX in the initial treatment of acute KD was safe and may shorten the duration of fever.
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Jibiki, T., Honda, T., Yasukawa, K. et al. Effects of Intravenous Gammmaglobulin Therapy Combined with Dexamethasone for the Initial Treatment of Acute Kawasaki Disease. Pediatr Res 53, 182 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200301000-00174
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200301000-00174