Is Kawasaki disease serious?

Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
Updated on September 08, 2024
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Kawasaki disease is an etiologically unclear disease with a not well-understood pathogenesis. The principal pathological change involves inflammatory changes in the systemic blood vessels, which can affect the coronary arteries and lead to coronary artery aneurysms and dilation. Kawasaki disease is self-limiting, and most cases resolve well, with recurrences seen in 1-2% of cases. For patients without coronary artery lesions, comprehensive examinations are required 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1-2 years after discharge, including physical examinations, electrocardiograms, and echocardiograms, mainly to assess the heart's condition. If not effectively treated, 15-20% may develop coronary artery aneurysms; such cases need semi-annual or annual medical check-ups. Coronary artery aneurysms often self-resolve within two years post-diagnosis, typically leaving functional abnormalities such as thickening of the vessel wall and reduced elasticity. Major artery aneurysms often do not disappear completely and can lead to thrombosis or narrowing of the vessel lumen. Kawasaki disease is one of the common causes of acquired heart disease in children; therefore, if Kawasaki disease is accompanied by severe coronary damage, it may heal well but could lead to heart disease. If it is not a severe case of Kawasaki disease, timely treatment can still result in a good recovery.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Kawasaki disease peeling symptoms

Kawasaki disease is a disease with unclear etiology and unclear pathogenesis of the autoimmune system. Its main pathological change is systemic vasculitis, commonly occurring in the coronary arteries. At the onset, symptoms in the hands and feet include stiff swelling and erythema during the acute phase. In the recovery phase, membranous peeling occurs at the junction of the skin and the nail base of fingers and toes, and there are transverse grooves in the nails. In severe cases, the nails of the fingers and toes may also fall off. Additionally, its skin manifestations include polymorphic skin plaques and scarlet fever-like rashes, which commonly appear in the first week of the disease, with redness and peeling of the skin around the anus.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Does Kawasaki disease cause vomiting?

Kawasaki disease is a disease with no clear etiology, commonly seen in infants and toddlers, with eighty percent of cases occurring in children under five years old. Its main pathological change is systemic vasculitis. The main symptoms include fever, congested and cracked lips, diffuse congestion of the oral mucosa, swollen tongue papillae, and strawberry tongue. Other symptoms may include swelling of the hands and feet, polymorphous erythema, and enlarged lymph nodes. There could be subsequent cardiac complications, primarily affecting the coronary arteries. Kawasaki disease may cause vomiting due to the diffuse congestion in the oral cavity, and the pharynx might also be congested. When children experience significant congestion, their laryngeal reflex might be sensitive, possibly leading to vomiting. Furthermore, children with Kawasaki disease might develop secondary infections from other bacteria and viruses, which could also lead to symptoms like vomiting. Therefore, the manifestations of Kawasaki disease can vary, and if significant vomiting occurs, it should be investigated to determine the cause.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Kawasaki disease incubation period

Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is a common pediatric fever and rash illness, primarily a systemic small vessel vasculitis. Kawasaki disease is not contagious, so it has no incubation period; only infectious diseases have incubation periods. If it were contagious, typical manifestations would include persistent high fever, pinpoint appearances around the eyes and mouth, typical rash, swelling of the hands and feet, and non-purulent swelling of the cervical lymph nodes. Therefore, Kawasaki disease has no incubation period and is a vasculitis mediated by immune mechanisms.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Does Kawasaki disease cause coughing?

Kawasaki disease has an unclear pathogenesis, primarily manifesting as systemic vasculitis, frequently affecting the coronary arteries. Clinically, it is characterized by fever, typically a high fever lasting seven to fourteen days, and is unresponsive to antibiotic treatment. Other symptoms include conjunctival congestion, cracked lips, diffuse oral congestion, and strawberry tongue. In the acute phase, there might be hard edema and erythema development, with polymorphous erythema and scarlatiniform rash typically on the trunk. Additionally, unilateral or bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy with tenderness can occur. Generally, coughing is rare and may be due to other infections like upper respiratory infections in children with weaker immunity.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Kawasaki disease causes

Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is an immune-mediated systemic vasculitis syndrome and a relatively common pediatric febrile rash disease. To date, the etiology of Kawasaki disease is not entirely clear. Extensive epidemiological and clinical observations suggest that Kawasaki disease may be an acute immune dysregulation caused by infectious factors. Genetic factors are also related to the occurrence of Kawasaki disease. Various bacteria, viruses, mycoplasma, and their metabolic products, such as superantigens produced by Streptococcus and Staphylococcus, are also related to the development of Kawasaki disease.