Management of acute Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease is a leading cause of acquired heart disease in children of the developed world,but long-term sequelae are greatly diminished with appropriate management. Children with Kawasaki disease should be treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), 2 g/kg in a single infusion over 8-12 h, plus high-dose aspirin (80 mg/kg per day). Additional doses of IVIG should be considered in those with persistent or recrudescent fever. After defervescence, aspirin dose should be reduced to 3-5 mg/kg per day as a single daily dose and continued for 6-8 weeks if coronary artery abnormalities are not detected. If such abnormalities are present, antithrombotic therapy should be continued indefinitely. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.