Korean J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr.  2000 Mar;3(1):47-55.

Clinical and Histopathologic Findings on the Abnormal Liver Function Complicated with Kawasaki Disease

• Lee SC
• Tchah H
• Na SY
• Kim HS
• Park HJ
• Shin MK

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of this research is to examine the abnormal liver function complicated with Kawasaki disease (KD) and to analyze its clinical characteristics and complications.
METHODS
Ninty eight cases were diagnosed as having KD, among which thirty four cases had abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (>30 IU/L). These abnormal ALT cases were evaluated in terms of age and sex distribution, major symptoms, complications, laboratory and histopathologic findings.
RESULTS
Male to female ratio was 2.4 : 1 and most patients (91.2%) were under 5 years of age. Cervical lymphadenopathy was observed in 3 cases (8.8%); and recurred cases were two (5.8%). Average fever duration was 8 days: average length of hospitalization was 9 days; and average recovery period was 13 days. Immediately after admission, positive CRP was observed in 31 cases (91.2%), leukocytosis (>10,000/mm(3)) in 26 cases (76.0%), thrombocytosis (>450,000/mm(3)) in 7 cases (20.6%), and anemia (<10 gm/dl) in 7 cases (20.6%), respectively. GB hydrops or cholecystitis were noted in 3 cases (8.8%) abnormal ECG finding in 1 case (2.9%), coronary dilatation or aneurysm in 2 cases (5.9%). Liver biopsy was done in four cases and revealed mild infiltration of lymphocytes on the portal area and mild bile duct proliferations.
CONCLUSION
The abnormal liver function was noted in 34.7% of KD patients, and subsided all within one month. But the liver function test should be checked closely in patients of the abnormal liver function test complicated with KD despite of its good prognosis.

Keyword

Kawasaki disease; Alanine aminotransferase (ALT); Histopathologic findings

MeSH Terms

Alanine Transaminase
Anemia
Aneurysm
Bile Ducts
Biopsy
Cholecystitis
Dilatation
Edema
Electrocardiography
Female
Fever
Hospitalization
Humans
Leukocytosis
Liver Function Tests
Liver*
Lymphatic Diseases
Lymphocytes
Male
Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome*
Prognosis
Sex Distribution
Thrombocytosis
Alanine Transaminase