Topic Overview
What is Kawasaki disease?
Kawasaki disease is a
rare childhood illness that affects the blood vessels. The symptoms can be
severe for several days and can look scary to parents. But then most children return to normal activities.
Kawasaki disease can harm the
coronary arteries, which carry blood to the heart muscle.
Most children who are treated recover from the disease without long-term
problems. Your doctor will watch your child for heart problems for a few weeks
to a few months after treatment.
The disease is most common in
children ages 1 to 2 years and is less common in children older than age 8. It
does not spread from child to child (is not contagious).
What causes Kawasaki disease?
Experts don't know
what causes the disease. The disease happens most often in the late winter and early
spring.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of Kawasaki
disease include:
- A
fever lasting at least 5 days.
- Red
eyes.
- A body rash.
- Swollen, red, cracked lips and tongue.
- Swollen, red feet and hands.
- Swollen
lymph nodes in the neck.
Get medical help right away if
your child has symptoms of Kawasaki disease. Early diagnosis and treatment can
often prevent future heart problems.
How is Kawasaki disease diagnosed?
Kawasaki
disease can be hard to diagnose, because there is not a test for it. Your doctor
may diagnose Kawasaki disease if both of these things are true:
- Your child has a fever that lasts at least 5
days.
- Your child has four of the other five symptoms listed above.
Your child may also have routine lab tests. And the doctor may order an echocardiogram to check for heart problems.
After your child gets better, he or she will need checkups
to watch for heart problems.
How is it treated?
Treatment for Kawasaki disease
starts in the hospital. It may include:
- Immunoglobulin
(IVIG) medicine. This is given through a vein (intravenous, or IV) to reduce
inflammation of the blood vessels.
- Aspirin to help pain and fever and to lower the risk of blood
clots.
Aspirin therapy is often continued at home. Because of the
risk of
Reye syndrome, do not give aspirin to your child without talking to your doctor. If your child is
exposed to or develops
chickenpox or flu (influenza)
while taking aspirin, talk with your doctor right away.
Your child may be tired and fussy, and his or her skin may be dry for a month or so. Try not to let your child get overly tired. And use skin lotion to help keep the fingers and toes moist.
If the disease causes heart problems, your child may need more treatment and follow-up tests.
How serious is Kawasaki disease?
It may be a few weeks before your child feels completely well. But most children
with Kawasaki disease get better and have no long-term problems. Early treatment is
important because it shortens the illness and lowers the chances of
heart problems. Follow-up tests can help you and your doctor be sure that the disease did not cause any serious problems.
Some children will have damage to
the coronary arteries. An artery may get too large and form an
aneurysm. Or the arteries may narrow or be at risk for blood
clots. A child who has damaged coronary arteries may be more likely to have a
heart attack as a young adult. If your child is affected, know what to watch for and when to seek care.
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