Prediction of intravenous immunoglobulin resistance in Kawasaki disease in an East China population

The objectives of the study were to find the risk factors associated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance and generate a prediction scoring system of IVIG resistance in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD). We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of KD patients between January 2006 and December 2014. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the risk factors of IVIG non-responders. The independent risk factors were used to construct a new scoring system and compared with Kobayashi and Egami scoring systems. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified age <6 months, rash, edema of extremities, % neutrophils, and serum albumin as independent risk factors for IVIG non-responders. We assigned one point for rash, edema of extremities, and % neutrophils ≥80 %. Two points were assigned for age <6 months and serum albumin <35 g/L. Using a cutoff point of three or more, we identified the IVIG non-responders with 71.4 % sensitivity and 76.0 % specificity. The new scoring system had a relatively better performance than Kobayashi and Egami scoring systems in the KD patients in East China. Clinical pediatricians must pay more attention to these high-risk patients, and use of additional therapies early in the course of their illness is necessary.