Case-control study of giant coronary aneurysms due to Kawasaki disease

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic features of the formation of giant coronary aneurysm due to Kawasaki disease and its risk factors are not still clear. METHODS: One hundred and five patients with giant coronary aneurysms were selected from the 15th and 16th nationwide surveys of Kawasaki disease in Japan. With all other patients reported from the same hospital as a control group, odds ratios (OR) were calculated for some potential risk factors. RESULTS: Some factors affecting the formation of giant coronary aneurysms were revealed. Of these factors, the following were considered to be useful for the treatment of patients with Kawasaki disease: male sex (OR compared with females = 1.99), 0 years old (OR compared with 1-2 years = 1.71), visiting the hospital on 1-3 days of illness (OR compared to 4-6 days = 1.72), leukocyte count (OR with 1000 /mm3 increase = 0.56), neutrophil concentration among leukocyte (OR with 10% increase = 1.11), hemoglobin concentration (OR with 1 mg/dL increase = 0.73), alanine aminotransferase level (ALT; OR with 10 IU/dL increase = 1.02) and serum sodium level (OR with 1 mEq/L increase = 0.80). CONCLUSIONS: The observation of 105 cases with giant coronary aneurysms due to Kawasaki disease reported in the nationwide survey provides information about some risk factors and other considerations about the aneurysms.     

Analysis of potential risk factors associated with nonresponse to initial intravenous immunoglobulin treatment among Kawasaki disease patients in Japan

BACKGROUND: Some Kawasaki disease (KD) patients do not respond to initial treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). The purpose of this study was to determine potential risk factors associated with IVIG nonresponse among KD patients in Japan. METHODS: Data were obtained from questionnaires used for the 18th nationwide KD survey of patients who visited hospitals in Japan from 2003 through 2004. Data for patients who met the case definition for KD and received 2 g/kg single infusion IVIG as the initial treatment within 10 days of illness were analyzed. IVIG nonresponders were defined as patients who needed secondary treatment after initial IVIG administration. RESULTS: Among 15,940 KD patients in Japan during 2003-2004, 6330 patients received 2 g/kg single infusion IVIG within 10 days of illness onset. IVIG nonresponders accounted for 20.3% of them (n = 1286). Male sex [odds ratio (OR), 1.21, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.06-1.37], receipt of the initial IVIG before the fifth day of illness (OR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.66-2.15), and having recurrent KD (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.00-1.90) were significantly associated with IVIG nonresponse. In addition, IVIG nonresponders had significantly higher risks for coronary artery aneurysms (OR: 10.38, 95% CI: 6.98-15.45) or giant coronary artery aneurysms (OR: 54.06, 95% CI: 12.84-227.65). CONCLUSIONS: Physicians should consider potential IVIG nonresponse among recurrent KD patients or KD patients diagnosed and treated before the fifth day of illness, particularly if they are boys and have laboratory values associated with nonresponse such as low platelet count, and elevated alanine aminotransferase and C-reactive protein. Some of these patients may benefit from administration of the alternative secondary treatment early during the illness along with the initial IVIG treatment.     

Case–control study of giant coronary aneurysms due to Kawasaki disease: The 19th nationwide survey

Background: The risk factors for recently reported cases of giant coronary aneurysms due to Kawasaki disease have not been elaborated. Methods: Fifty‐three patients with giant coronary aneurysms, diagnosed as Kawasaki disease in 2005 and 2006, were selected from the 19th nationwide survey of the disease in Japan. With all the other patients recorded at the same hospitals as a control group, OR and their 95%CI were calculated to delineate the risk factors. Results: In multivariate analyses, patients aged younger than 1 year (OR compared with 1–2‐year‐olds = 6.57) and those older than 5 years (OR compared with 1–2‐year‐olds = 4.24), those who received additional intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) without the use of steroid (OR = 8.38) and those who received steroid administration with or without the additional use of IVIG (OR = 220.51 and 83.83, respectively), showed significantly higher OR for giant coronary aneurysms. As for IVIG therapy, the additional use of IVIG (OR = 14.84), total dosage of IVIG exceeding 2500 mg/kg (OR compared with 1500–2499 mg/kg = 12.26) and the duration of IVIG administration for more than 3 days (OR = 30.12), were found to significantly increase the risk of developing giant aneurysms in univariate analyses that were adjusted for sex and age. Conclusions: The observation of 53 patients with giant coronary aneurysms due to Kawasaki disease among those included in the nationwide survey presented some risk factors, together with considerations about the associated aneurysms.     

Kawasaki disease in 76 patients. Risk factors for coronary artery aneurysms

IntroductionKawasaki disease is an acute systemic vasculitis of childhood, of unknown origin, and is considered the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children. Therefore, it is important to know clinical manifestations and complications in children with Kawasaki disease in our environment and to look for risk factors for the development of cardiac complications.Material and methodsRetrospective review of 76 children with Kawasaki disease evaluated from January 1997 to May 2008.ResultsOf the patients studied, 64.5% were males. The mean age was 3 years and 4 months. The main clinical findings were fever (mean of 8.13 days), rash, bilateral non-exudative conjunctivitis, changes in lips and oral cavity, changes in the extremities, cervical lymphadenopathy and arthralgias. The most important laboratory findings were leucocytosis, thrombocytosis, elevated C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, hypoalbuminaemia, hyperbilirubinaemia, elevated serum transaminases and sterile pyuria. Twelve of the patients (15.7%) developed coronary artery aneurysms, two patients had a mild mitral insufficiency and one patient with a mild pericardial effusion. There was one case of cholestatic hepatitis. All the complications were resolved without sequelae.Male sex (OR = 1.24), an urticarial exanthem (OR = 10.53) and a C-reactive protein > 10 mg/dl (OR = 4.20) were identified as risk factors for coronary aneurysms.ConclusionsOur patients had the typical clinical and laboratory findings of Kawasaki disease. Mild coronary artery complications were observed in 15.7% of the patients. Male sex, an urticarial exanthem and an elevated C-reactive protein are risk factors for coronary aneurysms.     

A case-control study of recurrent Kawasaki disease using the database of the nationwide surveys in Japan

Abstract In spite of many reports of recurrent Kawasaki disease, little information about the risk factors associated with recurrence is available. We conducted a case-control study on 150 cases of recurrent Kawasaki disease and 1173 pair-matched controls selected from the database of nationwide surveys of the same disease in Japan. Items observed were: sex, age, use of intravenous gamma globulin, and cardiac sequelae at the first episode. Sex and cardiac sequenlae did not affect the risk of recurrence. One- to 2-year-old chilren were more likely to be affected again than infants (odds ratio [OR]=1.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94–2.13), and children who were 3 years of age or older were less likely to experience a recurrence than infants (OR=0.59; 95% CI, 0.34–1.02). Intravenous gamma globulin therapy at the first episode increased the risk for recurrence of Kawasaki disease within 12 months (OR=2.66, 95% CI, 1.06–6.66). However, it did not affect recurrences 12 months after the first episode (OR=1.02; 95% CI, 0.53–1.97).Conclusion Patients with Kawasaki disease treated with intravenous gamma globulin are 2.66 times as likely to be affected by the disease again within 12 months as those treated without intravenous gamma globulin.     

Predictors of severe sepsis not clinically apparent during the first twenty-four hours of hospitalization in children with cancer, neutropenia, and fever: a prospective, multicenter trial

BACKGROUND: Severe sepsis is not clinically apparent during the first 24 hours of hospitalization in most children with cancer and febrile neutropenia (FN), delaying targeted interventions that could impact mortality. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate biomarkers obtained within 24 hours of hospitalization as predictors of severe sepsis before it becomes clinically evident. METHODS: Children with cancer, admitted with FN at high risk for an invasive bacterial infection in 6 public hospitals in Santiago, Chile, were monitored throughout their clinical course for occurrence of severe sepsis. Clinical, demographic and 6 biomarkers [eg, blood urea nitrogen, serum glucose, lactic dehydrogenase, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-8, and procalcitonin] were obtained at the time of admission and after 24 hours. Biomarkers independently associated with severe sepsis diagnosed after the first 24 hours of hospitalization were identified by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 601 high risk FN episodes were enrolled between June 2004 and October 2006; 151 (25%) developed severe sepsis of which 116 (77%) were not clinically apparent during the first 24 hours of hospitalization. Risk factors for severe sepsis were age > or =12 years [odds ratio (OR): 3.85; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.41-6.15], admission CRP > or =90 mg/L (OR: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.32-3.14), admission IL-8 > or =200 pg/mL (OR: 2.39; 95% CI: 1.51-3.78), 24-hour CRP > or =100 mg/L (OR: 3.06; 95% CI: 1.94-4.85), and 24-hour IL-8 > or =300 pg/mL (OR: 3.13; 95% CI 1.92-5.08). CONCLUSIONS: Age > or =12 years and admission or 24-hour values of CRP > or =90/100 mg/L and IL-8 > or =200/300 pg/mL are predictors of sepsis not clinically apparent during the first 24 hours of hospitalization.     

Prevention of giant coronary artery aneurysms in Kawasaki disease by intravenous gamma globulin therapy

Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of intravenous gamma globulin in the prevention of coronary artery abnormalities in Kawasaki disease. We retrospectively reviewed our single-hospital experience with patients in whom Kawasaki disease was diagnosed from January 1979 to July 1987. Only 3 of 68 (4%) patients treated with intravenous gamma globulin in the first 10 days of illness developed coronary artery abnormalities (one of the three had abnormalities before gamma globulin therapy), in comparison with 39 of 119 (33%) patients not treated with gamma globulin (p less than 0.001). Giant coronary artery aneurysms, which are associated with the greatest morbidity and mortality rates in Kawasaki disease, developed in none of the 68 patients treated with gamma globulin but in 7 of 119 patients (6%) not treated with gamma globulin (p = 0.04). Intravenous gamma globulin appears to be effective not only in reducing the overall prevalence of coronary artery abnormalities in Kawasaki disease but, more important, in preventing the formation of giant aneurysms, the most serious form of coronary abnormality after this illness.     

中国川崎病患儿并发冠状动脉病变高危因素的Meta分析

目的 探讨中国川崎病患儿并发冠状动脉病变的高危因素.方法 检索包括中国学术文献总库、中文科技期刊数据库、万方期刊及学位论文数据库、中国生物医学文献数据库,并辅以文献追溯、手工检索等方法,收集2000年1月至2009年12月国内公开发表的文章和学位论文中关于川崎病并发冠状动脉病变高危因素的临床资料,对所纳入的研究数据采用Coehrane协作网提供的Review Manager软件(Revman4.2)进行统计分析.根据文献异质性检验结果,进行固定效应模型或随机效应模型的Meta分析.计算各指标的比值比(OR)及其95%的可信区间(CI).结果 共纳入文献20篇,提取资料行统计分析结果示:发病年龄≤1岁[OR=1.58,95%CI(1.23,2.04),P=0.0004],男性[OR=1.48,95%CI(1.29,1.71),P＜0.000 01],WBC＞20×109/L[OR=1.73,95%CI(1.32,2.26),P＜0.0001],CRP＞100 mg/L[OR=2.37,95% CI(1.49,3.77),P=0.0003],发热＞10 d[OR=3.23,95%CI(2.08,5.02),P＜0.000 01],丙种球蛋白使用时发病时间＞10 d[OR=2.50,95%CI(1.98,3.16),P＜0.000 01],差异均有统计学意义.ESR＞100 mm/1 h[OR=1.34,95%CI(1.02,1.75),P=0.03],差异有统计学意义,但结论不稳定.PLT＜300×109/L[OR=0.85,95%CI(0.62,1.15),P=0.29],差异无统计学意义.结论 目前中国川崎病患儿发生冠状动脉病变的主要高危因素为发病年龄≤1岁、性别为男性、WBC＞20×109/L、CRP＞100 mg/L、发热天数＞10 d、丙种球蛋白使用时发病时间＞10 d.

Abstract：

Objective Coronary artery lesion (CAL)is a serious complication of Kawasak disease (KD).Whether there is CAL and the severity arc the most critical factors of the prognosis of KD.The incidence of KD is currently increasing year by year.KD has replaced rheumatic fever as the main entity of acquired heart disease of children.This study aimed to identify risk factors of CAL secondary to KD and take early interventions to prevent CAL or reduce its incidence.MethOd Literature search was performed at Chinese Academic Literature Main Database,Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database,Wanfang Periodicals and Dissertation Database.and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database comprehensively,besides,retrospective retrieval and manual retrieval were also performed from the domestic public actions and the dissertations dating from January,2000 to December, 2009.RayMan 4.2 provided by Cochrane was used for meta analysis.Fixed or random model was selected according to the results of heterogeneity test.Sensitivity analysis was done according to the different results.The publication bias was evaluated by funnel plots.Odds ratio(OR)and 95% confidence interval(CI)were estimated in the dissertation.Result Twenty studies were confirmed to be eligible.A11 the 20 studies were retrospective.OR and 95%CI of the risk factors were as follows:age≤1 year,OR=1.58,and 95%CI(1.23,2.04),P=0.0004;male gender, OR=1.48,95%CI(1.29,1.71),P＜0.000 01;WBC＞20×109/L,OR=1.73,95% CI(1.32,2.26),P＜0.000l;C-reactive protein(CRP)＞100 mg/L,OR=2.37,95%CI(1.49,3.77),P=0.0003:fever duration＞10 d,OR=3.23,95%CI(2.08,5.02),P＜0.000 01;use of intravenous gamma globulin(IVIG)＞10 d,OR=2.50,95%CI(1.98,3.16),P＜0.000 01.Conclusion The high risk factors for coronary artery lesion secondary to Kawasaki disease are age≤1 year,male,WBC＞20×109/L,CRP＞100 mg/L,fever duration＞10 d,and use of intravenous gamma globulin(IVIG)＞10 d.     

Risk factors associated with the need for additional intravenous gamma-globulin therapy for Kawasaki disease

Aim: To investigate the characteristics of patients with Kawasaki disease who needed intravenous gamma-globulin (IVGG) re-treatment. Methods: Using the database of the 17th nationwide survey in Japan, a total 11 366 patients were identified and analysed (1855 re-treatment patients and 9511 responders). Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that male sex (odds ratio (OR) 1.26; 95% CI 1.14-1.40), complete cases (OR 1.39; 95% CI 1.07-1.80), recurrence (OR 1.47; 95% CI 1.15-1.88), IVGG treatment within 4 d of illness (OR 2.05; 95% CI 1.84-2.27), daily dose of initial IVGG less than 1000 mg/Kg (OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.48-0.61), exanthema (OR 2.03; 95% CI 1.62-2.56), lips and oral lesions (OR 1.57; 95% CI 1.24-1.98), peripheral extremities changes (OR 1.85; 95% CI 1.54-2.22), and cervical lymphadenopathy (OR 1.89; 95% CI 1.66-2.16) were independent risk factors associated with the need for IVGG re-treatment.

Conclusion: Male sex, recurrence, and treatment with IVGG at a dose of 1000 mg/d or less within 4 d of illness onset are independent risk factors associated with the need for IVGG re-treatment.     

Use of laboratory data to identify risk factors of giant coronary aneurysms due to Kawasaki disease

BACKGROUND: Although some laboratory findings are known to be indicators of the risk of giant coronary aneurysm formation among Kawasaki disease patients, an appropriate cut-off point to predict aneurysm formation is not clear. METHODS: One hundred and five patients with giant coronary aneurysms were selected from the 15th and 16th nationwide surveys of Kawasaki disease in Japan. A total of 2936 patients without Kawasaki disease were recruited from a single hospital as a control group. Odds ratios were calculated for six laboratory data with specific values as cut-off points. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were observed to determine the most appropriate laboratory tests and cut-off points. RESULTS: Hematocrit, leukocyte count, neutrophil proportion, and hemoglobin had one or more peaks of odds ratio for specific cut-off points, but they did not have a clear cut-off point for the predictor according to the receiver operating characteristic curves. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased the risk of giant coronary aneurysms continuously so no clearly appropriate cut-off point was identified. Serum sodium concentration of 135 mEq/L had a peak of odds ratio, and those with <135 mEq/L had the highest odds ratio (4.78). This value seemed appropriate with a sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 57%, although the predictive positive value was as small as 5%. CONCLUSION: The author's propose that a serum sodium concentration of <135 mEq/L at the patient's first visit to hospital may be a predictor of giant coronary aneurysms due to Kawasaki disease.     

新生儿呼吸机相关性肺炎的病原学和高危因素分析

目的：随着现代儿科急救医学和新生儿医学的发展, 新生儿呼吸机相关性肺炎(VAP)作为NICU内主要的医院获得性感染已日益受到重视。由于VAP发病机制的复杂性,目前国内关于VAP的高危因素研究较少。该研究旨在初步探讨VAP的发病率﹑病原学和高危因素, 为VAP的防治提供一定的理论依据。方法：回顾分析2003～2005年南昌大学第一附属医院NICU呼吸机治疗的106例危重新生儿的临床资料。结果：VAP发病率为41.7％,单因素分析发现早产儿、低体重、机械通气时间、原发肺部疾患、再插管、有无大剂量使用丙种球蛋白等因素与VAP有关(P＜0.05）。Logistic回归确定机械通气时间、原发肺部疾患、再插管、有无大剂量使用丙种球蛋白为VAP影响因素(P＜0.05）。病原菌主要是耐药性条件致病菌,以革兰阴性杆菌为主(76.9％)。结论：致病菌主要是耐药性条件致病菌;VAP的高危因素众多,其发病机制复杂,是外部环境与患者内环境因素综合作用的结果,采取综合防治措施可能是控制VAP的最佳策略。［中国当代儿科杂志,2007,9（6）：549-552］     

Efficacy of intravenous immune globulin therapy combined with dexamethasone for the initial treatment of acute Kawasaki disease

We studied the effects of a new regimen consisting of intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) combined with dexamethasone (DEX) on clinical outcome and serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the initial treatment of Kawasaki disease (KD). A total of 46 KD patients received 0.3 mg/kg per day DEX plus heparin i.v. for 3 consecutive days, together with 2 g/kg IVIG over 4 to 5 days (DEX group). Low-dose acetylsalicylic acid was started after completion of DEX therapy. The control group consisted of 46 KD patients retrospectively treated earlier with 2 g/kg IVIG over 4 to 5 days plus higher dose acetylsalicylic acid (CONTROL group). No serious adverse effect was noted in either group. There were no differences in baseline and post-treatment laboratory data except for C-reactive protein between the groups. Post-treatment C-reactive protein in the DEX group (median 0.9 mg/dl, range 0.0 to 24.7 mg/dl) was lower than that (1.2 mg/dl, range 0.2 to 19.5 mg/dl) in the CONTROL group ( P =0.033 by Mann-Whitney U test). In addition, the mean duration of fever after the first IVIG infusion was 2.2 days (median 1 day, range 1 to 12 days) in the DEX group and 2.8 days (2 days, 1 to 16 days) in the CONTROL group ( P =0.015 by Mann-Whitney U test). The new regimen did not reduce VEGF levels. Two patients in each group developed small- or medium-sized coronary artery aneurysms. Conclusion:although this regimen did not affect coronary outcome, intravenous immune globulin therapy combined with dexamethasone for the initial treatment of Kawasaki disease was safe and may accelerate the resolution of systemic inflammation.Abbreviations CAA coronary artery aneurysms - DEX dexamethasone - IVIG intravenous immune globulin - KD Kawasaki disease - VEGF vascular endothelial growth factor     

Predictors of pediatric emergency patients discharged against medical advice

Based on a retrospective 5-year medical record review, this study characterizes factors associated with patients discharged against medical advice (AMA) from a tertiary pediatric emergency department (ED) and compares rates of return to the ED and admission to the hospital with those of patients routinely discharged. Data from 94 patients discharged AMA are compared with those of 188 control patients. Pediatric patients at risk for discharge AMA are older than 15 years (odds ratio [OR], 3.561; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.695-7.482), self-register independent of a parent (OR, 3.100; 95% CI, 1.818-152.770), arrive by ambulance (OR, 2.761; 95% CI, 1.267-6.018), involve a consultant (OR, 2.592; 95% CI, 1.507-4.458), and have a chief complaint of abdominal pain (OR, 3.095; 95% CI, 1.154-8.303). Negative predictors include urgent triage (OR, 0.155; 95% CI, 0.039-0.618), a chief complaint of upper respiratory tract illness or otitis media (OR, 0.229; 95% CI, 0.075-0.702), and discharge diagnoses of infection (adjusted OR, 0.053; 95% CI, 0.004-0.767), disease of the nervous system and sense organs (adjusted OR, 0.066; 95% CI, 0.005-0.898), respiratory illness (adjusted OR, 0.072; 95% CI, 0.007-0.718), and gastrointestinal disease (adjusted OR, 0.050; 95% CI, 0.006-0.419). Certain key elements of discharge AMA are well documented, including consequences of discharge AMA (74.5%) and instructions for care (54.3%). Other elements such as alternative therapies (1.1%) are poorly documented. Patients discharged AMA have a significantly higher return rate (24.5%) within 15 days compared with patients who have routine discharge (6.4%) (chi2=18.85, P<.001). Ninety-six percent of patients who return to the ED have the same chief complaint at both visits if discharged AMA compared with 50% of patients who are discharged routinely (P=.003), with 25% admission rates at the time of second visit for both types of discharges. Adolescents who register themselves are at increased risk for discharge AMA. Patients who are triaged as urgent or nonurgent or who have minor illnesses are likely to be dispositioned routinely. Patients discharged AMA are more likely to return to the ED with the same complaint than patients who are routinely discharged.     

Case-control study of the risk factors linked to respiratory syncytial virus infection requiring hospitalization in premature infants born at a gestational age of 33-35 weeks in Spain

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify those risk factors most likely to lead to the development of RSV-related respiratory Infection and subsequent hospital admission among premature infants born at 33-35 WGA (FLIP study) METHODS: This was a prospective case-control study. Cases (186) hospitalized for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) illness were recruited from 50 participating Spanish hospitals during the 2002-2003 RSV season (October 2002-April 2003). Controls (371) were selected in June 2003 but born at same time as cases. RESULTS: Of these cases, 20.5% were admitted to the intensive care unit intensive care unit, and 7.6% required mechanical ventilation. None of the patients died. Conditional logistic regression analysis adjusted for medical center demonstrated that the risk of RSV-related respiratory infection requiring hospital admission in preterm infants 33-35 weeks of gestation (WGA) in Spain was most often associated with absolute chronologic age at start of RSV season < or =10 weeks [ie, born between July 15 and December 15; odds ratio (OR), 3.95; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.65-5.90], breast-feeding for < or =2 months total (OR 3.26; 95% CI 1.96-5.42), presence of > or =1 school age siblings (OR 2.85; 95% CI 1.88-4.33), > or =4 residents and visitors at home (discounting school age siblings and the case/control him/herself) (OR 1.91; 95% CI 1.19-3.07) and a family history of wheezing (OR 1.90; 95% CI 1.19-3.01). CONCLUSIONS: In premature infants born 33-35 WGA, certain underlying risk factors significantly increase the risk of RSV-related respiratory infection and hospitalization. Premature infants 33-35 WGA with additional risk factors should be considered for RSV prophylaxis with palivizumab.     

Giant coronary aneurysms due to Kawasaki disease: A case−control study

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic features of giant coronary aneurysm due to Kawasaki disease and its risk factors are still not clear. METHODS: Sixty-six patients with giant coronary aneurysms were reported to a 15th nationwide survey of Kawasaki disease in Japan. With all other patients treated in the same hospital as a control group, odds ratios were calculated for certain potential risk factors. RESULTS: Infant males aged less than 1 year,neutrophil concentration among leukocyte, late administration of intravenous gammaglobulin (IVGG) therapy and additional administration of IVGGwere considered as risk factors of giant coronary aneurysms due to Kawasaki disease. In univariate analysis, use of IVGG therapy and a large amount of IVGG (2500+ mg/kg)elevated the risk, whereas the relationship disappeared after the adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: The observation of 66 cases with giant coronary aneurysms due to Kawasaki disease reported to the nationwide survey provides some risk factors and consideration about the aneurysms.     

Incomplete clinical manifestation as a risk factor for coronary artery abnormalities in Kawasaki disease: a meta-analysis

Incomplete Kawasaki disease (KD) comprises a large proportion of the total number of cases. Although it has the potential of delaying diagnosis, it is not conclusive whether an incomplete presentation is a risk factor for coronary artery abnormalities (CAAs). We performed a meta-analysis to establish the risk of CAA in 20 studies including 4,504 cases and 32,519 controls, and the risk of giant aneurysm in two studies including 5,390 cases and 37,648 controls. The pooled results indicated that incomplete KD was associated with an increased risk of CAA [odds ratio (OR)?=?1.447, 95 % confidence interval (CI)?=?1.158–1.808, p?=?0.001]. Subgroup analyses demonstrated higher associations in patients younger than 12 months (OR?=?2.023, 95 % CI?=?1.252–3.271, p?=?0.004), Asians and Indians (OR?=?1.57, 95 % CI?=?1.234–1.999, p?<?0.001 and OR?=?7.088, 95 % CI?=?1.640–30.631, p?=?0.009, respectively). Subgroup analysis according to the period of patient enrollment before and after 2004 showed increased association of incomplete KD with CAA only among studies with patients enrolled after 2004 (OR?=?1.969, 95 % CI?=?1.240–3.127, p?=?0.004). In conclusion, incomplete KD seems to be associated with an increased risk of CAA, and this is more prominent in patients younger than 12 months, Asians and Indians.     

Serum albumin level predicts initial intravenous immunoglobulin treatment failure in Kawasaki disease

Objectives: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis primarily affecting children who are <5 years old. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is the standard therapy for KD. However, many patients with KD still show poor response to initial IVIG treatment. This study was conducted to investigate the risk factors for initial IVIG treatment failure in KD. Methods: Children who met KD diagnosis criteria and were admitted for IVIG treatment were retrospectively enrolled for analysis. Patients were divided into IVIG‐responsive and IVIG‐resistant groups. Initial laboratory data before IVIG treatment were collected for analysis. Results: A total of 131 patients were enrolled during the study period. At 48 h after completion of initial IVIG treatment, 20 patients (15.3%) had an elevated body temperature. Univariate analysis showed that patients who had initial findings of high neutrophil count, abnormal liver function, low serum albumin level (≤2.9 g/dL) and pericardial effusion were at risk for IVIG treatment failure. Multivariate analysis with a logistic regression procedure showed that serum albumin level was considered the independent predicting factor of IVIG resistance in patients with KD (p = 0.006, OR = 40, 95% CI: 52.8–562). There was no significant correlation between age, gender, fever duration before IVIG treatment, haemoglobin level, total leucocyte and platelet counts, C‐reactive protein level, or sterile pyuria and initial IVIG treatment failure. The specificity and sensitivity for prediction of IVIG treatment failure in this study were 96% and 34%, respectively. Conclusion: Pre‐IVIG treatment serum albumin levels are a useful predictor of IVIG resistance in patients with KD.     

Apneas en lactantes con bronquiolitis: incidencia y factores de riesgo para un modelo de predicción

Introduction

The presence of apnoea in acute bronchiolitis (AB) varies between 1.2% and 28.8%, depending on the series, and is one of its most fearsome complications. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of apnoea in hospitalised patients diagnosed with AB, and to define their associated risk factors in order to construct a prediction model.

Racial and Insurance Disparities in Hospital Mortality for Children Undergoing Congenital Heart Surgery

Many studies of racial and insurance disparities after congenital heart surgery have used limited regional data over short periods. This study examines the association of race and insurance with hospital mortality using a national hospitalization database spanning almost a decade. A retrospective, repeated cross-sectional analysis was performed. All the admissions from the Kids' Inpatient Database from 1997 through 2006 that fit a Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery-1 category were examined. Multivariate logistic regression models examining hospital mortality, nonelective admission, and referral to high-mortality hospitals were constructed. Medicaid insurance [odds ratio (OR) 1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09-1.46] and nonwhite race (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.19-1.54) were independent risk factors for mortality. Furthermore, Medicaid insurance (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.15-1.31) and nonwhite race (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.19-1.34) were associated with nonelective admission for congenital heart surgery. Finally, children with Medicaid insurance (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.10-1.27) and black children (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.17-1.44) had higher odds of referral to high-mortality hospitals. Over the past decade, children undergoing congenital heart surgery continued to experience admission, referral, and survival disparities based on insurance and racial status.