Use of Infliximab in Infantile Kawasaki Disease: Experiences over 8 Years

Data on the use of infliximab (IFX) in infants with Kawasaki disease (KD) are scant. We retrospectively analyzed data of 35 infants with KD who received IFX. Effectiveness of IFX was assessed in the presence of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance and coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) regression. Fifteen of thirty-five received IFX in the presence of IVIG resistance; nineteen of thirty-five for CAA; and one for persistently high c-reactive protein. Thirteen out of fifteen with IVIG resistance became afebrile by 24 h. Twelve medium CAA regressed over 3 months, four of ten giant CAA normalized, and three regressed to small CAA, median time being 7.5 (3.5, 18) months. IFX was well-tolerated, safe, and effective in infants with KD.