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Alternative names Return to top
Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome; Mucocutaneous lymph node disease; Infantile polyarteritisDefinition Return to top
Kawasaki disease is a non-specific disease, with no apparent infectious agent, that affects the mucous membranes, lymph nodes, walls of the blood vessels, and the heart.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
The cause of Kawasaki disease has not been determined. The incidence is high in Japan where the disease was first described. It is now recognized more frequently in the United States. Risk factors other than age are unknown. Kawasaki disease is predominantly a disease of young children, with 80% of patients younger than 5 years of age.Symptoms Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
A physical examination will demonstrate many of the symptoms listed above. Procedures such as ECG and echocardiography may reveal signs of myocarditis, pericarditis, arthritis, aseptic meningitis, and coronary vasculitis.Treatment Return to top
Children with Kawasaki disease are hospitalized and care is normally shared between pediatric cardiology and infectious disease specialists, although no infectious agent has been demonstrated. It is imperative that treatment be started as soon as the diagnosis is made to prevent damage to the coronary arteries and heart.Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
With early recognition and treatment, full recovery can be expected. However, 2% die from complications of coronary vasculitis. Patients who have had Kawasaki disease should have an echocardiogram every 1-2 years to screen for progression of cardiac involvement.Complications Return to top
Complications involving the heart, including coronary vasculitis and coronary aneurysm, can cause acute myocardial infarction later in life or at a young age.Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call your health care provider if symptoms of Kawasaki disease develop. A persistent high grade fever that is unresponsive to acetaminophen or ibuprofen and lasts more than 24 hours should be evaluated by a physician.Prevention Return to top
There are no known measures that will prevent this disorder. Update Date: 10/24/2003 Updated by: Stanford Peng, M.D., Ph.D., Division of Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |