Regression of Coronary-Artery Aneurysms in Infantile Polyarteritis Nodosa

Polyarteritis nodosa is a rare disease of infancy that frequently affects the coronary arteries. In the infant with this syndrome described below, the diagnosis was confirmed by root flush coronary arteriography. Multiple coronary-artery aneurysms demonstrated initially had regressed one year after therapy with corticosteroids and azathioprine. Case Report A 13-month-old boy had a one-month history of intermittent high fevers, cough, conjunctivitis, and a diffuse, erythematous maculopapular rash that subsequently desquamated. The hematocrit was 33 per cent; the white-cell count was 25,000, with 70 per cent neutrophils. The urine gave a ++ test for protein, and the sediment contained many red . . .