Serum hepatocyte growth factor combined with vascular endothelial growth factor as a predictive indicator for the occurrence of coronary artery lesions in Kawasaki disease.

Unlabelled: We investigated the possible use of serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels as a predictive indicator for the occurrence of coronary artery lesions (CAL) in Kawasaki disease (KD). Serum HGF and VEGF levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 41 patients with KD and 25 afebrile controls. Serum HGF levels of patients in the acute phase of KD were significantly higher than those of afebrile controls (Pc < 0.

Central nervous system vasculopathy associated with neonatal lupus.

Neonatal lupus erythematosus, characterized mainly by congenital heart block and transient skin lesions, is usually self-limited. A patient with history of neonatal lupus erythematosus and congenital heart block developed central nervous system vasculopathy resembling moyamoya disease and hypertension at 17 years of age. Careful examination and follow-up of possible central nervous system complications later in life might be important in infants with neonatal lupus erythematosus.