Korean J Pediatr Infect Dis.  2008 Dec;15(2):188-194. 10.14776/kjpid.2008.15.2.188.

The Clinical Characteristics of Recurrent Kawasaki Disease

• Jo H
• Kim SH
• Kim DS

• KMID: 2439931
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14776/kjpid.2008.15.2.188

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical characteristics of recurrent Kawasaki disease (KD).
METHODS
From January 2004 to December 2007, the medical records of 20 children with recurrent KD in Severance Children's Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, treatment and complications of these patients were compared between the initial episode and the second episode
RESULTS
At the initial episode of the recurrent KD group, the gender ratio was 1.2:1 (male:female) and the mean age was 37.2±19.9 months. The interval between the two episodes in the recurrent KD group was 3.3 months. The febrile period before admission was shorter for the second episode (P=0.034). The skin rash was less developed in the second episode. But there were no differences in the laboratory results and complications between the initial episode and the second episode. Three patients (15%) among those with a second episode failed to respond to the initial intravenous immunoglubulin treatment. On comparison between the initial episodes of the recurrent group and the nonrecurrent group, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate was higher in the first episode of the recurrent KD group.
CONCLUSIONS
For recurrent KD, it tends to present more atypical features than the KD that occurs for the first time. Physicians should consider these characteristics when making the diagnosis and treating recurrent KD.

Keyword

Recurrence; Kawasaki disease

MeSH Terms

Blood Sedimentation
Child
Diagnosis
Exanthema
Humans
Medical Records
Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome*
Recurrence
Retrospective Studies