• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.12
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• pp.1247-1251
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• 2007

Purpose : Pathologically, Kawasaki disease (KD) is associated with widespread vascular endothelial damage in the acute phase. The vasculitis induced endothelial injury leads to coagulation abnormalities. Abnormalities of endothelial function, platelet activation, and fibrinolysis are present during acute phase and long after the onset of KD. The aim of study is to evaluate the change of hemostatic markers in the clinical stages of KD and to assess the hemostatic markers to be a useful indicator of the development of coronary artery lesion (CAL). Methods : Seventy four KD patients diagnosed in Chungnam National University Hospital from November 2004 to June 2007. Eleven febrile control and eleven healthy children were selected for healthy control. All blood samples were collected before and after Intravenous gammaglobulin (IVGG), $2^{nd}$ week, and $4^{th}-8^{th}$ week of illness of KD. Results : Initial D-dimer level of Kawasaki disease showed meaningful difference compared to control group (P<0.05). D-dimer and fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) before IVGG increased compared with normal control group and decreased after IVGG administration. It is normalized until 2 weeks later, and continue to decreasing. D-dimer and FDP were significantly different according to the CAL before IVGG. Conclusion : The hemostatic markers may change to the clinical stage of KD, which may suggest the degree of endothelial injury. Increased some hemostatic markers may be the predictors for development of CAL.