Kawasaki Disease

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Topic Overview

What is Kawasaki disease?

Kawasaki disease is an uncommon childhood illness that causes inflammation of the blood vessels. It most commonly affects children ages 18 to 24 months; it is less commonly seen in people older than age 8. It tends to be severe for several days, but then most children return to normal activities. After your child gets better, the doctor will usually watch him or her for heart problems.

The disease is not contagious and occurs most often in the late winter and early spring.

What causes Kawasaki disease?

Although a specific cause has not yet been identified, researchers suspect Kawasaki disease may be related to a virus or bacteria.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of Kawasaki disease include:

• A fever lasting at least 5 days.
• Red eyes.
• A body rash.
• Swollen, red lips and tongue.
• Swollen, red feet and hands.
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

How is Kawasaki disease diagnosed?

Kawasaki disease can be difficult to diagnose. Although there is no specific test for Kawasaki disease, a diagnosis can be made if a child has a fever that lasts at least 5 days and also has 4 of the 5 other symptoms listed above. Less often, a diagnosis is made when a child has a fever that has lasted at least 5 days, two other symptoms from the list above, and some damage to the heart (coronary artery disease).

How is it treated?

Treatment for Kawasaki disease may include medicine given through a vein (intravenous, or IV, medicine) called immunoglobulin (IVIG) to reduce inflammation of the blood vessels, aspirin therapy to lower the risk of blood clots, and possibly blood thinners (anticoagulants) to prevent new blood clots.

Is Kawasaki disease serious?

Most children with Kawasaki disease get better and have no long-term effects, even if they do not receive treatment. However, treatment shortens the illness and greatly reduces the chances of having problems from Kawasaki disease.

About 20% of children who are not treated will have problems in the arteries that supply blood to the heart (coronary artery disease). Weakened coronary arteries may get enlarged or can narrow or develop blood clots. In very rare cases, this can lead to a heart attack.

The risk of heart attack is greatest within 1 year after the illness. However, studies in Japan indicate that children who develop coronary artery damage are more prone to having a heart attack as young adults.¹

Last updated:	February 09, 2007
Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Stanford T. Shulman, MD - Pediatrics
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC