Plasma H2S predicts coronary artery lesions in children with Kawasaki disease.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine whether plasma hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a biomarker for predicting coronary artery lesions (CAL) in children with Kawasaki disease (KD). METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on 50 KD patients and 27 healthy children. Plasma H2 S was analyzed at the acute stage. Plasma H2S was detected using the sensitive electrode method, and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was carried out. RESULTS: Plasma H2S in KD patients at the acute stage was significantly lower than that of controls. CAL patients had reduced plasma H2S at acute stage compared with the non-CAL patients. A plasma H2S cut-off of 31.2 µmol/L provided a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 62.5% for predicting coronary injuries in KD. Optimal specificity and sensitivity were obtained when using plasma H2S to predict CAL in KD children. CONCLUSION: Plasma H2S level in the acute period is a potentially useful biomarker for predicting CAL in KD children.