Adjunct cyclosporine therapy for refractory Kawasaki disease in a very young infant

Herein we describe the case of a 6-week-old boy who developed complete Kawasaki disease (KD). The cytokine profile and activation of monocytes and subsequent T cells matched the typical feature of refractory KD. The patient received a total of three courses of i.v. immunoglobulin (IVIG), but did not achieve clinical relief. Adjunctive therapy with oral cyclosporine A (CsA) led to prompt defervescence. This was continued for 7 days without serious adverse events. Coronary artery dilatations regressed within 3 months of follow up. KD infants <3 months of age are at higher risk of coronary artery aneurysm than the older ones. To our knowledge, oral CsA treatment has not been reported in such young infants with KD. The diagnosis and treatment of very young infants with KD are challenging. Adjunctive use of CsA in IVIG treatment could be effective for refractory KD in infants <3 months of age.