How is Kawasaki disease diagnosed?

Written by Shi Ji Peng
Pediatrics
Updated on December 22, 2024
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Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is an acute febrile rash disease characterized primarily by inflammation of medium and small arteries throughout the body, with a self-limiting nature. Clinically, it mainly presents with fever, rash, mucosal lesions, conjunctival congestion, and non-suppurative enlargement of cervical lymph nodes. If untreated, 20% of cases can lead to coronary artery damage. To diagnose this disease, in addition to typical clinical manifestations, attention must also be paid to various tests such as blood tests, immunological tests, and ultrasound examinations for a comprehensive assessment. Although the clinical characteristics are largely indicative of the disease, ultrasound examination is crucial to check for any dilation of the coronary arteries.

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Is IgE high in Kawasaki disease?

Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, has an unclear pathogenesis. It is speculated that certain components of infectious sources, such as superantigens, can activate CD30 T cells and CD40 ligand expression directly by binding with T cell antigen receptor fragments without going through mononuclear macrophages. Under the induction of carrier cells, there is polyclonal activation and reduced apoptosis of B08 cells, resulting in the production of large amounts of immunoglobulins such as IgG, IgM, IgA, and IgE, and cytokines. Therefore, the IgE levels in Kawasaki disease are elevated.

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How long to take aspirin for Kawasaki disease

The current pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease is not yet clear, but one of its main pathological changes is a systemic vasculitis. During an outbreak of Kawasaki disease, the blood viscosity increases primarily due to platelet aggregation. Typically, oral aspirin is administered to prevent this inflammation and to treat platelet aggregation. The dosage is generally reduced gradually once the fever subsides, with maintenance doses lasting about six to eight weeks. If coronary artery lesions are present, the duration of medication is extended until the coronary arteries return to normal before discontinuing the drug.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Does Kawasaki disease cause a runny nose?

Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, primarily presents with repeated high fevers that do not respond to antibiotics, conjunctival congestion, diffuse oral congestion, chapped and congested lips, polymorphic erythema and scarlatiniform rashes on the skin, and unilateral or bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy. The cause of Kawasaki disease remains unclear, but studies suggest that respiratory or gastrointestinal infections may be common prodromal symptoms, indicating that the onset might be related to infections, though no contagious phenomena have been identified to date. Kawasaki disease might show prodromal signs such as upper respiratory infections, characterized by symptoms like a runny nose and cough, or gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, which suggests that a runny nose might be a manifestation of Kawasaki disease.

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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 Zeng Hai Jiang
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Causes of secondary recurrence of Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, commonly affects children and infants under five years old. It is an acute, systemic vasculitic disease. Clinically, it is primarily characterized by persistent fever, bilateral conjunctival congestion, cracked lips, strawberry tongue, rash, hard swelling of hands and feet, fingertip desquamation, and enlargement of cervical lymph nodes. In severe cases, it can lead to coronary artery dilation, coronary artery aneurysms, and thrombotic obstruction. The exact cause of Kawasaki disease is not very clear, but it is mainly believed to be related to infections. The probability of secondary recurrence of Kawasaki disease is about 2%, and its causes mainly have to do with infections, immune factors of the body, genetic factors, and so on.