KAWASAKI’S DISEASE

By: Madeline Dixon and Megan Curry

Description

Kawasaki’s Disease causes inflammation in the walls of the arteries throughout the body.

Symptoms include high fever, reddening of the eyes and lips, and bright red rash.

Scientific Description

Kawasaki’s Disease has other common names including: Kawasaki’s Syndrome, Infantile Periarteritis Nodosa, Infantile Polyarteritis Nodosa, and Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome.

It is associated with inflammation of the vascular wall.

It is an idiopathic self-limiting systemic vasculitis.

Vasculitis: series of conditions in which there is inflammation of the blood vessels

Symptoms

Fever that lasts for five or more days Rash, often worse in the groin area Red bloodshot eyes, without drainage or

crusting Bright red, swollen, cracked lips and

“strawberry” tongue which appears as shiny bright red spots after the top coating sloughs off

Swollen hands and feet as well as redness of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet

Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

Causes

The exact cause of Kawasaki’s Disease is unknown.

Some studies suggest that it is the immune system’s reaction to some infectious diseases such as a virus.

Some studies also suggest that genetic factors could play a role.

Kawasaki’s Disease cannot be passed from one child to another.

Treatment

Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IV Fluids) doses of gamma globulin, which is purified antibodies, an ingredient of blood that helps the body fight infection is given.

Aspirin is given after the fever reduces to prevent heart problems.

If the child has any indication of heart problems, the doctor would recommend follow up tests such as an echo cardiogram.

Goals of initial treatment: Lower fever and inflammation Prevent heart damage

Worst Case Scenario

Doctors can manage the symptoms of Kawasaki Disease if it is caught early.

Most children feel better within two days of treatment. Usually no heart problems will develop if it is treated

within 10 days of the first symptoms. If untreated, Kawasaki Disease can lead to severe

vasculitis which can be particularly dangerous if it affects the coronary arteries which supply blood to the heart.

Lining, valves, and the outer membrane around the heart can become inflamed.

Arrhythmia, changes in the normal pattern of the heartbeat, can occur.

It is dangerous if the child develops an aneurism in their heart or other location. If the aneurism bursts they will die.

Sever Vasculitis

Facts

The Kawasaki Disease Foundation (KDF) estimates that Kawasaki Disease affects more than 4,200 children in the United States each year.

Kawasaki Disease was described by and named after Japanese pediatrician, Tomisaku Kawasaki, in 1967.

It is more common in boys than girls.

It is most common in children of Japanese and Korean descent, but it can affect all ethnic groups.

Works Cited

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001984/#adam_000989.disease.causes

http://diseasesforum.com/kawasaki-disease/ http

://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kawasaki-disease/basics/definition/con-20024663

http://www.medicinenet.com/kawasaki_disease/article.htm

http://www.healthline.com/health/kawasaki-disease#Overview1

http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/kawasaki-disease-pro

http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/heart/kawasaki.html#