CARDIAC SEQUELAE OF KAWASAKI DISEASE IN ISFAHAN, IRAN

Kawasaki disease is one of the major causes of acquired heart disease of children in developed countries. This study was performed to determine the frequency of cardiac sequelae of kawasaki disease and related risk factors based on a descriptive cross-sectional study between 1994-1999 in the pediatric ward of AI-Zahra Hospital of Isfahan. Out of 45 patients, 29 were male (64.4%) and 16 were female (35.6%) with a sex ratio of 1.8 (p<0.05). Five patients suffered from pericardial effusion (11.1 %), 6 patients had mitral valve insufficiency (13.3%) and 10 patients (22.6%) had coronary artery aneurysms (CAA). Seven and 3 cases of these 10 CAA cases were male and female, respectively, with a sex ratio of 2.3 (p<0.05). CAA's were less in patients who received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in the first 10 days than untreated cases or cases who were treated later (p<0.05). CAA's persisted only in 2 patients after the convalescent period of disease and a new case of CAA which did not exist in the acute phase was detected. In conclusion, CAA's in this study were higher than worldwide reports. Early diagnosis and treatment with IVIG are necessary for prevention of cardiac involvement in kawasaki disease