Role of procalcitonin in predicting complications of Kawasaki disease

Scenario A 2-year-old Japanese boy presented with a 3-day history of fever. He was lethargic and tachycardic, which made clinicians suspect sepsis. He was hospitalised for antibiotic treatment. On day 5, he developed bilateral conjunctivitis and erythematous lips. His cervical lymph nodes were enlarged, and erythema multiforme-like rashes were observed on the trunk. He was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease (KD), and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy was administered. He required two courses of IVIG as he did not respond to the initial treatment. He eventually developed coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs). On blood tests taken at his admission, procalcitonin was measured to evaluate sepsis. We questioned whether it was possible to predict his IVIG resistance or CAA development with procalcitonin so that initial treatment could have been intensified. Structured clinical question In children with KD (patient), do patients with high pretreatment procalcitonin levels (intervention) have a higher risk...
Source: Archives of Disease in Childhood - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: ADC Archimedes Source Type: research