Kawasaki Disease Complicated With Macrophage Activation Syndrome: A Systematic Review

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2017 Aug;39(6):445-451. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000000872.

Abstract

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), also known as secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, is a rare and potentially fatal complication of Kawasaki disease (KD). We report 2 cases, performed a literature search, and analyze the characteristics of MAS associated with KD. A total of 69 patients were evaluated, 34 reported the date of the diagnosis of MAS and KD, 6% had a diagnosis of MAS before KD, 21% had a simultaneous presentation, and 73% had the diagnosis of MAS after KD. Different treatment approaches were observed with corticosteroids administered in 87%, cyclosporine in 49%, etoposide (VP-16) in 39%, and monoclonal anti-TNF in 6% of cases. Coronary abnormalities were especially high in this group of patients (46%) and 9 patients died (13%). The persistence of fever with splenomegaly, hyperferritinemia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) should prompt the consideration of MAS complicating KD.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Coronary Vessel Anomalies
  • Cyclosporine / therapeutic use
  • Etoposide / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Fever
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Macrophage Activation Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Macrophage Activation Syndrome / etiology*
  • Macrophage Activation Syndrome / pathology
  • Male
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / complications*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Etoposide
  • Cyclosporine
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases