How Is Kawasaki Disease Treated?
Kawasaki disease is treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), given through an intravenous line in the hospital over 8 to 12 hours. For most patients, IVIG improves fever and lowers the risk of coronary aneurysms if administered in the first 10 days, and ideally within 7 days, of the start of fever. Aspirin also is prescribed in high doses to control fever. Once the fever is gone, the aspirin dose is lowered to a single daily dose to prevent blood from clotting in the coronary arteries. If no aneurysms are present by 5 or 6 weeks after the onset of fever, aspirin is stopped. Children with persistent fever or worsening aneurysms despite IVIG therapy are often treated with more IVIG infusions and/or other therapies to lessen inflammation. For children who have developed coronary aneurysms, treatment is aimed at preventing blood clots in the coronary arteries. Aneurysms usually reach their biggest size about 4 weeks after the onset of fever. Depending on the size of the aneurysms, c
