Is the spirit of Kawasaki disease good?

Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, has an unclear cause and is generally prevalent in infants and young children, with 80% of cases occurring in children under five years old. The mechanism of the disease is also not very clear. Its main pathological presentation is systemic vasculitis, often involving the coronary arteries. The primary clinical symptoms include high fever, which is unresponsive to antibiotic treatment, conjunctival congestion, diffuse oral congestion, strawberry tongue, indurative edema of the hands and feet, and palmoplantar erythema. Additionally, it may affect the heart, leading to conditions such as pericarditis, myocarditis, endocarditis, and arrhythmias. During the acute phase of Kawasaki disease, the high fever and diffuse oral mucosal congestion can affect the child's mental state. If the heart is involved, there may be abnormalities in heart rate and heart function, which can also lead to a poor mental state. Therefore, if Kawasaki disease is confirmed, it definitely requires active treatment.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Is Kawasaki disease prone to recurrence?

Kawasaki disease is a common pediatric febrile, rash-causing illness, and once diagnosed, treatment must begin actively. Most cases of Kawasaki disease have a very good prognosis with standard treatment, but about 5% of children may experience temporary coronary artery abnormalities, and the recurrence rate of Kawasaki disease can reach 1% to 3%. Therefore, once a child is diagnosed with Kawasaki disease, it is essential to conduct follow-up throughout the treatment process. Follow-ups should be done at three months, six months, and one year after the onset of the disease in new cases. The purpose of the follow-up is mainly to assess the child's prognosis and evaluate the coronary arteries to see if there is any recurrence, so this follow-up work is very important.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 42sec home-news-image

Is Kawasaki disease scary?

Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is a common pediatric autoimmune disease. The pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease remains unclear, and its etiology is also unknown, mainly focusing on immune reactions, genetic susceptibility, and theories of pathogenic microbial infections. Its primary pathological change is systemic vasculitis, most commonly affecting the coronary arteries. Most cases of Kawasaki disease have a good prognosis, with recurrences seen in 1% to 2% of patients. After effective treatment, complications involving coronary artery damage are less common. However, untreated patients develop coronary artery aneurysms in 15%-25% of cases. These aneurysms often resolve on their own within two years of the illness, but often leave behind complications such as thickened vessel walls and reduced elasticity. Large aneurysms are less likely to resolve completely and often lead to thrombosis or narrowing of the vessel lumen. Kawasaki disease is also one of the common causes of acquired heart disease in children. Thus, if Kawasaki disease is detected early, timely treatment is necessary to avoid cardiac sequelae. After effective treatment, the prognosis is generally good. However, if there are complications like coronary artery damage or other heart issues, it may affect the child's quality of life and even lifespan.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min home-news-image

Why do children get Kawasaki disease?

Kawasaki disease has an unclear pathogenesis. It is speculated that it may be related to infections by microorganisms or other pathogens, familial genetic susceptibility, or autoimmune functions. Currently, the entire medical history is unclear, and there is no specific epidemiology identified for the onset of the disease; it can occur in any of the four seasons. The disease primarily affects infants and young children, with about 80% of cases occurring in children under five years of age. The ratio of male to female incidence is approximately 1.5:1. Thus, Kawasaki disease is most commonly seen in infants and young children. Currently, there is no definitive explanation for the mechanism of the disease.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Is it normal for Kawasaki disease to have a lower temperature?

The etiology of Kawasaki disease is currently unclear; its primary pathological feature is systemic vascular inflammation. Kawasaki disease typically presents with fever, high fevers ranging from 39 to 40 degrees Celsius. If a patient with Kawasaki disease has a lower temperature, it may indicate that the condition is quite severe. For example, children generally have weaker immune systems, or if they have a severe co-infection, hypothermia may occur. In this case, it is recommended that doctors perform further examinations and intensify treatment. Therefore, a lower temperature in Kawasaki disease is also abnormal. Normally, the body temperature should gradually return to the normal range, and both hypothermia and hyperthermia are definitely abnormal conditions.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 26sec home-news-image

How long does it take to cure Kawasaki disease?

Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, has unclear etiology and pathogenesis. The primary pathological change is systemic vasculitis, frequently affecting the coronary arteries. Kawasaki disease is considered a self-limiting condition, with most cases having a good prognosis; recurrence occurs in 1% to 2% of affected children. If associated with coronary artery damage and not effectively treated, 15% to 25% of these cases can develop coronary artery aneurysms. Typically, coronary artery aneurysms resolve within two years of onset, but often leave residual arterial wall thickening and reduced elasticity. Large aneurysms do not disappear completely and can lead to thrombosis or stenosis. Kawasaki disease is also one of the main causes of acquired heart disease in children. Therefore, active and effective treatment of Kawasaki disease can result in recovery. However, if there is accompanying coronary artery damage, the prognosis can vary depending on the extent of the damage. Severe coronary artery damage might lead to long-term heart disease.