Kawasaki disease is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children.
01 | Introduction
Kawasaki disease (KD), also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is a rare heart condition that most commonly affects children under the age of 5. This condition develops suddenly and causes a high fever and inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body. KD tends to affect the coronary arteries and occurs mostly in boys. Though it is a serious disease, most children can fully recover if symptoms are caught and treated right away. If left untreated, it can lead to aneurysms, inflammation in the heart or other heart valve problems.
02 | Causes
KD occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the blood vessel walls, causing inflammation. The exact cause is unknown, but it is thought to be the result of genetic changes or triggered by viral or bacterial infections. It is considered not to be a contagious or hereditary condition.
03 | Symptoms
Symptoms of KD usually appear in 2 phases. The first can last up to two weeks, and the most common symptom is a high fever lasting five or more days. Other symptoms include:
The second phase of symptoms usually begins two weeks after the fever starts. These symptoms are:
04 | Treatments
Children with KD are typically treated in the hospital with intravenous immunoglobin to help fight infection and prevent heart damage. High-dose aspirin may also be prescribed to treat inflammation, reduce fever and prevent blood clots.
Learn More
For more information on Kawasaki disease and supportive resources, please visit kidshealth.org.
References
https://www.cdc.gov/kawasaki/about.html
https://medlineplus.gov/kawasakidisease.html
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/kawasaki-disease
https://carle.org/conditions/pediatric-conditions/kawasaki-disease
