Kawasaki Disease Awareness

About this campaign

Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is a disease in which blood vessels throughout the body become inflamed.[1] The most common symptoms include a fever that lasts for more than five days not affected by usual medications, large lymph nodes in the neck, a rash in the genital area, and red eyes, lips, palms or soles of the feet.[1] Other symptoms include sore throat and diarrhea.[1] Within three weeks of the onset of symptoms, the skin from the hands and feet may peel.[1] Recovery then typically occurs.[1] In some children, coronary artery aneurysms may form in the heart.[1]

The cause is unknown.[1] It may be due to an infection triggering an autoimmune response in those who are genetically predisposed.[1] It does not spread between people.[1] Diagnosis is usually based on a person's signs and symptoms.[1] Other tests such as an ultrasound of the heart and blood tests may support the diagnosis.[1] Other conditions that may present similarly include scarlet fever and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.[1]

Initially treatment is typically with high doses of aspirin and immunoglobulin.[1] Usually with treatment fever resolves within 24 hours and there is a full recovery.[1] If the coronary arteries are involved, ongoing treatment or surgery may occasionally be required.[1] Without treatment, coronary artery problems occur in up to 25% and about 1% die.[3][5] With treatment, the risk of death is 0.17%.[5]

Kawasaki disease is rare.[1] It affects between 8 and 67 per 100,000 people under the age of five except in Japan where it affects 124 per 100,000.[4] It is much less common after the age of five.[1] Boys are more commonly affected than girls.[1] The disorder was first described in 1967 by Tomisaku Kawasaki in Japan.