Kawasaki disease

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Lymphatic system

Kawasaki's disease, peeling of the fingertips

Kawasaki's disease - edema of the hand

Kawasaki disease

Alternative Names:

Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome; Infantile polyarteritis
Treatment:

Children with Kawasaki disease are hospitalized and care usually delivered by both pediatric cardiology and infectious disease specialists, although no infectious agent has been discovered. Treatment must be started as soon as the diagnosis is made to prevent damage to the coronary arteries and heart.

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Intravenous gamma globulin is the standard treatment for Kawasaki disease and is administered in high doses. The child's condition usually greatly improves within 24 hours of treatment with IV gamma globulin.

Aspirin is often given in combination with the IV gamma globulin as part of the treatment plan.

Expectations (prognosis):

With early recognition and treatment, full recovery can be expected. However, 2% of patients die from complications of coronary blood vessel inflammation. Patients who have had Kawasaki disease should have an echocardiogram every 1-2 years to screen for heart problems.

Complications:

Complications involving the heart, including vessel inflammation and aneurysm, can cause a heart attack at a young age or later in life. The American Heart Association's October 2004 guidelines provide details on life-long followup.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if symptoms of Kawasaki disease develop. A persistent high grade fever that is unresponsive to acetaminophen or ibuprofen and lasts more than 24 hours should be evaluated by a physician.