Efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin combined with prednisolone following resistance to initial intravenous immunoglobulin treatment of acute Kawasaki disease

J Pediatr. 2013 Aug;163(2):521-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2013.01.022. Epub 2013 Feb 26.

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the most effective first-line rescue therapy for intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) nonresponders, using IVIG, prednisolone, or both, to prevent coronary artery abnormalities (CAAs).

Study design: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 359 consecutive patients with Kawasaki disease who failed to respond to initial IVIG.

Results: CAAs up to 1 month after treatment were less common in the IVIG+prednisolone group (15.9%) than in the IVIG group (28.7%, P = .005) and the prednisolone group (30.6%, P = .01). The IVIG+prednisolone group had significantly lower risks of failing to respond to first-line rescue therapy (aOR 0.16, 95% CI 0.09-0.31), CAAs up to 1 month (aOR 0.46, 95% CI 0.27-0.90), and CAAs at 1 month (aOR 0.40, 95% CI 0.18-0.91) than the IVIG group. In the prednisolone and IVIG+prednisolone groups, risk score, day of illness at first-line rescue therapy, prednisolone monotherapy, and resistance to first-line rescue therapy were independent risk factors for CAA. Sex and resistance to first-line rescue therapy were independent risk factors in the IVIG group.

Conclusions: IVIG+prednisolone may be superior to IVIG or prednisolone as first-line rescue therapy in the treatment of IVIG nonresponders. To establish the efficacy of rescue therapy with IVIG+prednisolone following nonresponse to initial IVIG, a prospective randomized trial is warranted.

Keywords: C-reactive protein; CAA; CRP; Coronary artery abnormality; IL; IVIG; Interleukin; Intravenous immunoglobulin; KD; Kawasaki disease; Methylprednisolone; mPSL.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drug Resistance
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / administration & dosage*
  • Male
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Prednisolone / administration & dosage*
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • Prednisolone