How many days does it take to be discharged from the hospital for Kawasaki disease?

Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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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
1min 23sec home-news-image

Is the spirit of Kawasaki disease good?

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 Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Is Kawasaki disease characterized by eye discharge?

Kawasaki disease is an autoimmune vasculitis that can affect blood vessels throughout the body and various organs, but the most severe impact is typically on the coronary arteries, which can lead to dilation of the coronary arteries or the possibility of forming coronary artery aneurysms. The disease can cause conjunctival congestion, but this is a manifestation of aseptic conjunctivitis, meaning it does not cause, nor does it result in, purulent secretions, in other words, it does not cause eye discharge. Therefore, if a patient with Kawasaki disease has purulent eye discharge, it is possible that they have a concurrent bacterial conjunctivitis. Thus, generally, eyes affected by Kawasaki disease do not have eye discharge but may appear dry and red.

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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
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Is Kawasaki disease contagious?

Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, currently has unclear pathogenic mechanisms and the causes of the disease are not well defined. One of its main pathological changes is systemic vasculitis, including the coronary arteries. The disease occurs sporadically or in small epidemics, can happen in any season without clear seasonality, and is generally more common in infants and young children, with eighty percent under five years of age. Kawasaki disease is not a contagious disease, so it does not have significant contagiousness.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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How long does Kawasaki disease require hospitalization?

Kawasaki disease is an autoimmune vasculitis, primarily concerning because it affects the coronary arteries of the heart. Without effective treatment, some cases can lead to coronary artery dilation and even the formation of coronary artery aneurysms. Therefore, hospitalization is generally recommended during the acute phase of Kawasaki disease. During hospitalization, treatment typically involves the use of intravenous immunoglobulin and aspirin. After treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, the body temperature generally begins to decrease gradually. Once the body temperature has stabilized for about three days and there are no complications, the patient can usually be discharged, so most hospital stays last about 5-7 days. (Medication should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.)