Kawasaki Disease

Kawasaki disease (KD) primarily affects children younger than 5 years of age and is a major cause of heart disease developing in children. KD was first described in Japan by Tomisaku Kawasaki in 1967, and the first cases outside of Japan were reported in Hawaii in 1976. It is also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome.

The exact number of cases of KD each year isn't known. The American Heart Association (AHA) says there are about 2500 cases a year while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say in at least one recent year there were over 4000 hospitalizations for KD in the United States. KD occurs worldwide, with the highest incidence in Japan. It's most common among children of Asian descent (Read about "Minority Health"), and affects males almost twice as much as females. Babies under the age of one are usually the most seriously ill and face greatest risk of heart problems from the disease.

The cause of Kawasaki disease is unknown but the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) says some doctors are suspicious that it is caused by a virus. (Read about "Microorganisms")

AAFP says KD can cause any or all of the following:

• fever for 5 days or longer
• skin rash (Read about "Skin Rash")
• bloodshot eyes
• irritation and inflammation of the mouth, lips and throat
• swelling of the hands and feet
• swollen lymph nodes
• joint problems
• inflammation of the blood vessels
• heart problems

CDC says serious complications of KD include weakening of the coronary artery and aneurysms. (Read about "Aneurysms") KD is a leading cause of acquired heart disease in the United States. Because of these concerns, a child who develops a fever should always be seen by a healthcare professional.

The disease and symptoms are often treated, under a doctor's supervision, with aspirin and gamma globulin. Aspirin is given to help lower the fever and can help the rash and the joint pain. Another issue, blood clots, can be helped by the aspirin treatment. Parents should never give a child aspirin without first consulting a doctor. AAFP says that any aspirin treatment must be closely monitored because of the dangers of other problems. If your child gets the flu (Read about "Influenza") or chickenpox, taking aspirin could result in another condition called Reye's syndrome. (Read about chickenpox and aspirin concerns in "Childhood Illnesses") The Kawasaki Disease Foundation (KDF) says some 15 to 25 percent of patients who don't receive treatment develop coronary problems. (Read about "The Heart & Cardiovascular System")

KDF says the acute phase of Kawasaki disease usually lasts 10 to 14 days. Most children fully recover and do not have any other problems. The chances of developing coronary artery disease (Read about "Coronary Heart Disease") later in life is unknown right now but is being investigated.