Significant Relationship Between Serum High-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein, High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels and Children With Kawasaki Disease and Coronary Artery Lesions

Background/Purpose

The aim of this study was to understand the association between Kawasaki disease (KD) in children and serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), which is a sensitive indicator of inflammation, lipid profiles and coronary artery lesions.

Methods

Between July 2005 and December 2007, 119 children with KD at least 1 year after diagnosis were recruited. The children were classified into one of two groups: Group I comprised 55 children with KD and coronary aneurysms; Group 2 comprised 64 children with KD and normal coronary arteries. The relationship between hs-CRP concentration and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and the size of arterial lesions was investigated in Group I 1 year after onset of KD.

Results

Serum hs-CRP levels in Group I (mean, 0.251mg/dL) were significantly greater than those in Group II (mean, 0.162mg/dL; p = 0.011). However, plasma HDL-C levels in Group I (mean 42.51 mg/dL) were significantly lower than those in Group II (mean, 44.34 mg/dL; p = 0.037). In Group I, there was a positive association between hs-CRP and the size of coronary artery lesions (r = 0.672, p = 0.035), but no association between lipid profiles, including HDL-C, and coronary artery lesions (all p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Our results support the possibility of ongoing low-grade inflammation late after the acute phase of KD in children with coronary aneurysms. Serum hs-CRP and HDL-C levels are associated with coronary artery lesions in children with KD.

Key Words:  C-reactive protein , cholesterol HDL , coronary artery disease , Kawasaki disease

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