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Body Mass Index Trajectory in Children With Kawasaki Disease
Jessica Laird-Gion1, Kimberlee Gauvreau2, Annette Baker3
1Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Insights
Children with Kawasaki disease showed a minor, temporary increase in BMI z score post-diagnosis. This obesity indicator returned to normal within a year, unaffected by treatments or coronary artery aneurysms.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Childhood Obesity Research
Background:
- Kawasaki disease (KD) is a significant pediatric illness.
- Acquired cardiovascular risk is a concern for children with KD.
- Potential influence of KD on childhood obesity requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the trajectory of Body Mass Index (BMI) z scores in children diagnosed with Kawasaki disease.
- To determine if corticosteroid treatment or coronary artery aneurysms impact BMI z score changes in KD patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study design.
- Analysis of BMI z scores at diagnosis, 6 weeks, and 1 year post-diagnosis.
- Comparison of BMI z score trajectories based on treatment and aneurysm presence.
Main Results:
- A minimal increase in BMI z score was observed in the first 6 weeks after KD diagnosis.
- BMI z scores returned to baseline levels by the 1-year follow-up.
- Neither corticosteroid therapy nor coronary artery aneurysms significantly altered the BMI z score trajectory.
Conclusions:
- Kawasaki disease is associated with a transient, minimal increase in BMI z score.
- Childhood obesity risk in KD patients appears manageable and resolves over time.
- Standard KD treatments and complications do not adversely affect long-term BMI z score trends.
Abstract:
Acquired cardiovascular risk is a concern for children with Kawasaki disease, which might influence obesity. Patients with Kawasaki disease in a single-instruction, retrospective cohort exhibited only a minimal increase in BMI z score in the first 6 weeks after diagnosis that resolved at 1 year. Neither corticosteroid treatment nor the presence of coronary artery aneurysms had adverse impacts on the BMI z score trajectory.
