All articles tagged with #ivig treatment
A two-year-old girl in Paisley was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease 10 days after fever began; early treatment with IVIG helped avert potential heart damage, and her family backs awareness efforts like the Light a Landmark campaign to help parents spot signs.
Scientists are gaining insight into the possible cause of Kawasaki disease, a rare inflammatory condition affecting young children, as hospitals report an increase in cases. The disease causes inflammation in the blood vessels carrying oxygen to the heart and can lead to lasting heart issues if not promptly treated. New evidence suggests an infectious agent may be involved, and during the pandemic, cases dropped significantly due to measures like masking and social distancing. Prompt treatment with IVIG can lead to complete recovery, but research is ongoing to improve outcomes for the 20% of children for whom IVIG doesn't work.
Rady Children's Hospital has seen an increase in Kawasaki Disease (KD) cases among young children following a lull during the COVID-19 pandemic. The cause of this surge remains elusive, with hypotheses including environmental triggers such as dust from agricultural areas in China. KD, which causes severe inflammation of blood vessels, is the leading cause of acquired heart disease among U.S. children. Clinicians are using intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment to help patients fight off infections and avoid lasting cardiovascular damage. Ongoing research aims to understand the environmental factors associated with increased exposure to KD triggers, with recent patterns suggesting a potential link to human-to-human transmission and complex social lives of older children.
Ashley Baker was misdiagnosed for nine months after experiencing symptoms related to Lyme disease following a knee injury. Despite not having a bullseye rash or finding a tick, a blood test eventually revealed the disease. Baker struggled to find doctors who understood the disease and relied on outdated standards of care. She eventually found an online support group and a doctor who prescribed IVIG treatment, which helped her feel better. Baker is now advocating for more research into Lyme disease and better understanding of the disease and its treatments.