The Effects of Intravenous Immunoglobulin on Coronary Artery Abnormalities in Children With Kawasaki Disease

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute systemic vasculitis in childhood, with a strong effect on the heart. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) on coronary artery abnormalities in children with KD.  This study was performed on 101 children with KD between 2004 and 2019. Echocardiography was used to assess coronary artery abnormalities. A coronary artery was considered abnormal if the internal lumen diameter exceeded 2 mm in infants, 3 mm in children aged between 2 and 5 years, and 4 mm in children older than 5 years. Data analysis was done using the SPSS software, version 22. A P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically.  Before IVIG administration, abnormal left coronary arteries were reported in 21 children. However, 2, 6, and 12 months following IVIG administration, the number of children with left coronary artery abnormalities dropped to 5, 2, and 1, respectively.  Before IVIG administration, abnormal right coronary arteries were reported in 13 patients. Nonetheless, 2, 6, and 12 months after IVIG administration, the number of patients with right coronary artery abnormalities fell to 5, 1, and 1, respectively.  IVIG administration in our children with KD significantly affected left and right coronary artery abnormalities after 6 months, with the effect being stronger in the left coronary artery. (Iranian Heart Journal 2022; 23(1): 172-183)