Kawasaki disease causes swelling (inflammation) of the walls of medium-sized arteries throughout the body. It mainly affects children. The inflammation tends to affect the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle.
Kawasaki disease is sometimes called mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome because it also affects glands that swell with infection (lymph nodes), skin and mucous membranes inside the mouth, nose and throat. throat.
The signs of Kawasaki disease, such as high fever and peeling skin, can be scary. The good news is that Kawasaki disease is usually treatable, and most children recover from it without serious problems.
3 Stages: The Signs and Symptoms of Kawasaki Disease
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1st phase
Signs and symptoms of the first phase may include:
A fever that is often above 39°C and lasts more than three days
Extremely red eyes without thick discharge
A rash on the main part of the body and in the genital area
Red, dry, cracked lips and an extremely red, swollen tongue
Red, swollen skin on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck and possibly elsewhere
Irritability
2nd stage
In the second stage of the disease, your child may develop:
Alopecia areata of the skin of the hands and feet, especially the fingertips and toes, often in large sheets
Joint pain
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Abdominal pain
3rd stage
In the third phase of the disease, the signs and symptoms slowly disappear unless complications develop. It can take up to eight weeks for energy levels to return to normal.
When to consult a doctor
If your child has a fever that lasts longer than three days, contact your doctor. Also see your doctor if your child has a fever and has four or more of the following signs and symptoms:
Redness in both eyes
A very red and swollen tongue
Redness of the palms or soles of the feet
Alopecia areata of the skin
An eruption
Swollen lymph nodes
Treating Kawasaki disease within 10 days of its onset can significantly reduce the chance of lasting damage.
Causes of Kawasaki disease
No one knows what causes Kawasaki disease, but scientists don’t believe the disease is contagious from person to person. A number of theories link the disease to bacteria, viruses, or other environmental factors, but none have been proven. Certain genes can make your child more likely to get Kawasaki disease.
Risk factors
Three things are known to increase your child’s risk of developing Kawasaki disease.
age
Children under 5 are most at risk for Kawasaki disease.
sex
Boys are slightly more likely than girls to develop Kawasaki disease.
ethnicity
Children of Asian or Pacific Islander descent, such as Japanese or Koreans, have higher rates of Kawasaki disease.
Complications
Kawasaki disease is one of the leading causes of acquired heart disease in children. However, with effective treatment, only a few children show lasting damage.
Cardiac complications include:
Inflammation of the blood vessels, usually the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart
Inflammation of the heart muscle
Heart valve problems
All of these complications can damage your child’s heart. Inflammation of the coronary arteries can cause the wall of the artery to weaken and bulge (aneurysm). Aneurysms increase the risk of blood clots forming, which can lead to a heart attack or cause internal bleeding that can be fatal.
For a very small percentage of children who develop coronary artery problems, Kawasaki disease can lead to death, even with treatment.
