Global Pediatric Health (Oct 2019)

White Blood Cell and Neutrophil Counts and Response to Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Kawasaki Disease

  • Taichiro Muto MD, PhD,
  • Yu Masuda MD,
  • Shingo Numoto MD,
  • Shunsuke Kodama MD,
  • Kiyoshi Yamakawa MD,
  • Michihiko Takasu MD,
  • Tomohito Hayakawa MD,
  • Kenji Miyata MD,
  • Ryosuke Miyamoto MD,
  • Mitsuko Akaihata MD,
  • Hideyuki Iwayama MD, PhD,
  • Yoshiro Kitagawa MD, PhD,
  • Hirokazu Kurahashi MD, PhD,
  • Yasuto Shimomura MD, PhD,
  • Toshinori Hori MD, PhD,
  • Masumi Okuda MD, PhD,
  • Hiroatsu Agata MD, PhD,
  • Akihisa Okumura MD, PhD

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/2333794X19884826
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6

Abstract

Read online

We explored parameters to predicting the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy for patients with Kawasaki disease (KD). We retrospectively analyzed the laboratory data of 77 children with KD treated with IVIG. Data obtained before and within 24 hours after IVIG therapy were compared between responders and nonresponders. The white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil counts were significantly lower in responders than nonresponders within 24 hours after IVIG. The areas under the receiver operating characteristics curves of the WBC and neutrophil counts were 0.846 and 0.754, respectively. The WBC and neutrophil counts differed significantly between responders and nonresponders (the latter developed recurrent pyrexia after transient fever resolution). In conclusion, WBC and neutrophil counts within 24 hours after IVIG usefully predict the efficacy of IVIG therapy for those with KD, and identify nonresponders to such therapy.