What is Kawasaki Disease?

Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
Updated on September 02, 2024
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Kawasaki disease was first reported in 1967 by Tomisaku Kawasaki in Japan and is also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. Approximately 15% to 20% of cases experience coronary artery damage after effective treatment. Since 1970, cases have been reported worldwide, with a higher incidence among Asians. As diagnostic capabilities improve globally, the incidence of this disease is decreasing. This disease occurs sporadically or in small epidemics and can occur in any season, most commonly affecting infants and young children, with 80% of cases occurring in children under five years of age. The cause of the disease is unclear, and the mechanism of onset is also not well understood, with the primary pathological change being systemic vasculitis. The main clinical symptoms are high fever between 39 to 40 degrees Celsius, followed by ineffectiveness of antibiotic treatment, and conjunctival congestion. Other symptoms include congested, cracked lips, diffuse congestion of the oral mucosa, indurative edema of hands and feet with emerging erythema, polymorphous skin eruptions and scarlet fever-like rash, and enlarged cervical lymph nodes, which can be unilateral or bilateral, hard and tender, but not red on the surface. There may be complications involving coronary artery damage, and potential complications such as myocarditis, pericarditis, endocarditis, and arrhythmias. Additionally, there may be other associated symptoms such as interstitial pneumonia, digestive system symptoms, joint pain, and arthritis.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
54sec home-news-image

Does Kawasaki disease affect lifespan?

Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, has an unclear pathogenesis. Its pathological changes primarily involve a systemic circulatory disease characterized by vasculitis. A severe complication can lead to cardiac lesions. Generally, Kawasaki disease is self-limiting and most cases have a good prognosis. However, if Kawasaki disease is not effectively treated and results in associated coronary artery aneurysms or large artery aneurysms, it could lead to acquired heart disease. Such cardiac issues could potentially affect cardiac function later on. This might impact lifespan, but if Kawasaki disease is treated aggressively and effectively, the prognosis is good and the impact on future health is minimal.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Can Kawasaki disease heal itself?

Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is a disease with unclear etiology and unclear pathogenesis. It commonly affects infants and young children, with 80% of cases occurring in children under five years old, and the male to female incidence ratio being 1.5:1. Kawasaki disease is a self-limiting disease, and most cases have a good prognosis. Recurrences are seen in 1%-2% of affected children. Children without coronary artery lesions also need a comprehensive physical examination, generally recommended at one month, three months, six months, and annually or biannually for up to two years, including physical examination, electrocardiogram, and echocardiography. Without effective treatment, 15%-20% of affected children may develop coronary artery aneurysms, and they should be closely followed long-term, with follow-up every six to twelve months. Coronary artery aneurysms often resolve themselves within two years after the disease, but often leave behind abnormalities such as thickened vessel walls and reduced elasticity. Large aneurysms often do not completely resolve and may lead to thrombosis or narrowing of the vessel lumen. Kawasaki disease is also a cause of acquired heart disease, so timely and effective treatment is essential to prevent cardiac issues. Once Kawasaki disease develops, it is advised to seek prompt hospital treatment to manage the condition effectively.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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Kawasaki Disease and Purpura Differences

The clinical manifestations of Kawasaki disease include fever lasting more than five days, ineffective antibiotic treatment, rashes, transient swelling of the cervical lymph nodes, conjunctival congestion, strawberry tongue, cracked lips, hard swelling of fingers and toes, and desquamation around the nails and anal region during the recovery phase. Allergic purpura is mainly manifested by rashes, which are generally hemorrhagic rashes below the buttocks, symmetrical on the lower limbs, raised above the skin surface, and usually without fever. Besides rashes, allergic purpura can also involve joint pain, abdominal pain, or allergic purpuric nephritis among other conditions.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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How many days does it take to be discharged from the hospital for Kawasaki disease?

Kawasaki disease is a disease with unclear pathogenesis and etiology. A major pathological change is systemic vasculitis, which commonly affects the coronary arteries. Typically, it presents with fever lasting from seven to fourteen days or longer, and antibiotics are ineffective in treatment. During the first through sixth weeks of the illness, complications such as pericarditis, myocarditis, endocarditis, and arrhythmias may occur. Coronary artery damage often occurs between the second and fourth weeks of the illness, and proactive and effective treatment of Kawasaki disease can prevent coronary complications. The acute phase generally involves symptomatic supportive care, prevention of platelet aggregation, fever reduction, and prevention of coronary artery damage. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin is recommended within the first ten days of onset. If the treatment is not effective, other special medications like steroids may be used, and the treatment duration is generally between two to four weeks. Thus, the pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease is uncertain, and its pathological process is prolonged. The specific timing of discharge depends on the child's condition. If the fever is controlled and no significant coronary artery damage is evident, and the condition is stable, then discharge is possible. However, post-discharge, follow-up should be conducted based on the child's specific condition. Therefore, the duration of hospitalization for Kawasaki disease is not fixed and depends on the child's condition and treatment response.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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What is Kawasaki disease?

Kawasaki disease is a disease possibly related to viruses. Currently, the exact cause of Kawasaki disease is unclear, and the mechanism of its onset is also not well understood. It is characterized primarily by systemic vasculitis and is an acute febrile exanthematous disease. Clinically, it presents with symptoms such as rash, fever, conjunctival congestion, cracked lips, oral mucosal congestion, enlarged cervical lymph nodes, and peeling of the skin on the extremities. The cause of Kawasaki disease is unclear, but various viral infections observed clinically could potentially exacerbate the progression of Kawasaki disease. It mainly affects the coronary arteries, so there is a certain link between Kawasaki disease and viruses. However, it is not necessarily the direct cause of Kawasaki disease but could worsen or be a concomitant disease.