The Significance of Elevated sST2 in Children with Kawasaki Disease

Objectives: To investigate the level and clinical significance of soluble growth stimulation expressed gene 2 protein (sST2) in children with Kawasaki Disease (KD). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 287 cases of KD in pediatric cardiology Department of Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University from November 2021 to December 2022. They were grouped according to whether there was myocardial damage (MD), coronary artery damage (CAL), ≥3organs involved (MOD), and whether there was IVIG-R KD. In respective groups, the level of sST2 is correlated with WBC, HB, PLT, CRP, IL-6, ESR, NT-pro BNP, D-dimer, and ALB. Results: 1. They were younger and more male in CAL (P< 0.05). 2. In MD, CAL, MOD, and IVIG-R KD groups, the level of sST2, CRP, NT-pro BNP and D-dimer were higher than those negative group respectively (P< 0.05). 3. sST2 was weakly positively correlated with WBC, CRP, IL-6, NT-pro BNP and D-dimer, while weakly negatively correlated with HB and ALB (P< 0.05).4. sST2, HB and IL-6 were independent risk factors for MOD (P< 0.05). 5. sST2 and HB were independent risk factors for IVIG-R KD(P< 0.05). 6. In the acute cases, a totalof 4 cases had sST2 > 200ng/mL, all of which were IVIG-R KD and MOD, and among of them, 3 cases were combine with CAA. Conclusions: The level of sST2 was elevated in the acute phase of KD may indicate IVIG-R KD, CAA, MOD, and MD.