Is Kawasaki disease scary?

Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
Updated on March 11, 2025
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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
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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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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.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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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 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 Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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How many days can Kawasaki disease be cured?

Kawasaki disease is a syndrome of mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, the cause of which is unclear, as is the pathogenesis of the disease. The pathological changes are mainly systemic vasculitis, which is prone to secondary damage to the coronary arteries. It has a relatively long course. If fever occurs, the fever can persist for 1-2 weeks. Generally, special medications such as aspirin are required for treatment. Usually, treatment is for 3 days, and after the fever subsides, the dosage is gradually reduced, maintained for 6-8 weeks. If there is secondary coronary artery damage, the duration might be longer. In cases of severe coronary damage, the duration of the disease may be several months or even years, depending on the specific condition of the disease. Kawasaki disease is a self-limiting disease. Usually, if there is no significant coronary artery damage, after symptom control, comprehensive examinations are conducted 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1-2 years after discharge, mainly heart examinations such as electrocardiograms and echocardiograms. If there is a combination of coronary artery aneurysms, long-term follow-up is required, with an examination every six months to one year until the coronary aneurysm disappears or if there is combined damage to the coronary artery structure, long-term follow-up is needed.