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Kawasaki Disease
Kawasaki Disease is an illness that involves the skin, mouth, and lymph nodes, and typically affects children who are under the age of 5. The cause of Kawasaki Disease is unknown, but if the symptoms are recognized early, kids with the disease can fully recover within a few days. If it goes untreated, it can lead to serious complications that can involve the heart.
Kawasaki disease occurs in 19 out of every 100,000 kids in the United States. It is most common among children of Japanese and Korean descent, but the illness can affect all ethnic groups.
This illness can't be prevented, but you can help your child by learning the telltale symptoms and signs, which typically include a diarrhea, heart. Kawasaki disease can lead to vasculitis, which is an inflammation of the blood vessels. This can be particularly dangerous because it can affect the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart.
In addition to the coronary arteries, the heart muscle, lining, valves, or the outer membrane that surrounds the heart can become inflamed. Arrhythmias (changes in the normal pattern of the heartbeat) or abnormal functioning of some heart valves can also occur.
Diagnosing Kawasaki Disease
There is no one test to detect Kawasaki disease, so a doctor typically diagnoses it by evaluating the child's symptoms and ruling out other conditions.
Typically, a child who is diagnosed with this illness will have a fever lasting 5 or more days and at least 4 of the following symptoms:
- redness in both eyes
- changes around the lips, tongue, or mouth
- changes in the fingers and toes, such as swelling, discoloration, or peeling
- a rash in the trunk or genital area
- a large swollen lymph node in the neck
- red, swollen palms of hands and soles of feet
If Kawasaki disease is suspected, a doctor may order tests to monitor the child's heart function, which can include an echocardiogram, and other tests of heart function. A doctor may also take blood and urine samples to rule out other conditions, such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Joel Klein, MD
Date reviewed: July 2005
Originally reviewed by:
Sexual & Reproductive System
Return
Kawasaki Disease
Kawasaki Disease is an illness that involves the skin, mouth, and lymph nodes, and typically affects children who are under the age of 5. The cause of Kawasaki Disease is unknown, but if the symptoms are recognized early, kids with the disease can fully recover within a few days. If it goes untreated, it can lead to serious complications that can involve the heart.
Kawasaki disease occurs in 19 out of every 100,000 kids in the United States. It is most common among children of Japanese and Korean descent, but the illness can affect all ethnic groups.
This illness can't be prevented, but you can help your child by learning the telltale symptoms and signs, which typically include a