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Kawasaki DiseaseDecember 2021Summary reviewed May 2026

What the KIDCARE Trial Found — Infliximab vs. Repeat IVIG for Resistant Kawasaki Disease

KIDCARE compared infliximab with a second IVIG infusion in 103 children whose Kawasaki disease did not respond to the first IVIG. Infliximab worked faster, shortened hospital stays, and caused less anemia.

What the trial was testing

The KIDCARE enrolled 105 patients with kawasaki disease. The study was sponsored by University of California, San Diego and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.

It was a large trial designed to confirm whether the treatment works well enough for wider use. Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.

What the results showed

77% had fever resolution on infliximab vs. 51% on repeat IVIG.

The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health · 2021 · NCT03065244

These findings — that fever resolution at 24 hours on infliximab vs. repeat IVIG for resistant Kawasaki — were published in the The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health and represent the headline result of the study.

Researchers tracked outcomes across 105 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.

What this means for patients

For patients with kawasaki disease, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.

What you can do now

Infliximab is FDA-approved for several inflammatory diseases (not specifically Kawasaki disease) and is widely used off-label for IVIG-resistant Kawasaki. The American Heart Association supports it as an option for resistant cases. Ask a pediatric rheumatologist or cardiologist about treatment.

Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.