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Kawasaki disease

Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome; Infantile polyarteritis

 

Kawasaki disease is a rare condition that involves inflammation of the blood vessels. It occurs in children.

Causes

 

Kawasaki disease occurs most often in Japan, where it was first discovered. The disease is seen more often in boys than in girls. Most of the children who develop this condition are younger than age 5.

Kawasaki disease is not well understood and the cause is yet unknown. It may be an autoimmune disorder . The problem affects the mucous membranes, lymph nodes, walls of the blood vessels, and the heart.

 

Symptoms

 

Kawasaki disease often begins with a fever  of 102°F (38.9°C) or higher that does not go away. The fever is often as high as 104°F (40°C). A fever lasting at least 5 days is a common sign of the disorder. The fever may last for up to 2 weeks. The fever often does not come down with normal doses of acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen.

Other symptoms often include:

  • Bloodshot or red eyes (without pus or drainage)
  • Bright red, chapped, or cracked lips
  • Red mucous membranes in the mouth
  • Strawberry tongue, white coating on the tongue, or visible red bumps on the back of the tongue
  • Red palms of the hands and the soles of the feet
  • Swollen hands and feet
  • Skin rashes on the middle of the body, NOT blister-like
  • Peeling skin in the genital area, hands, and feet (mostly around the nails, palms, and soles)
  • Swollen lymph nodes in the neck (often only one lymph node is swollen)
  • Joint pain and swelling, often on both sides of the body

Additional symptoms may include:

  • Irritability
  • Diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain
  • Cough and runny nose

 

Exams and Tests

 

Tests alone cannot diagnose Kawasaki disease. Most of the time, the health care provider will diagnose the disease when a child has most of the common symptoms.

In some cases, a child may have a fever that lasts more than 5 days, but not all the common symptoms of the disease. These children may be diagnosed with atypical Kawasaki disease.

All children with fever lasting more than 5 days should be checked for Kawasaki disease by a provider. Children with the disease need early treatment for a good outcome.

The following tests may be done:

  • Chest x-ray
  • Complete blood count
  • C-reactive protein (CRP)
  • Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR )
  • Ferritin
  • Serum albumin
  • Serum transaminase
  • Urinalysis - may show pus in the urine or protein in the urine
  • Echocardiogram
  • Electrocardiogram

Tests such as ECG and echocardiography are done to look for signs of myocarditis , pericarditis , arthritis , aseptic meningitis, and inflammation of the coronary arteries.

 

Treatment

 

Children with Kawasaki disease need hospital treatment. Treatment must be started right away to prevent damage to the coronary arteries and heart.

Intravenous gamma globulin is the standard treatment. It is given in high doses. The child's condition often gets much better within 24 hours of treatment with IV gamma globulin.

High-dose aspirin is often given along with IV gamma globulin.

Even with standard treatment, up to 1 in 4 children may still develop problems in their coronary arteries. Some research suggests that adding steroids or tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors such as Enbrel to the treatment routine may help. However, there still needs to be better tests to tell which children will benefit from added forms of treatment.

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

Most children can recover fully when the disease is caught and treated early. About 1 in 100 children die from heart problems caused by the disease. People who have had Kawasaki disease should have an echocardiogram every 1 to 2 years to screen for heart problems.

 

Possible Complications

 

Kawasaki disease can cause inflammation of blood vessels in the arteries, especially the coronary arteries. This can lead to aneurysm. Rarely, it can lead to a heart attack at a young age or later in life.

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Call your provider if symptoms of Kawasaki disease develop. Swelling and redness develop in the affected areas such as the palms and soles of the feet. This, along with an ongoing high fever that does not come down with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, should be checked by a provider.

 

Prevention

 

There are no known ways to prevent this disorder.

 

 

Open References

References

Dominguez SR, Anderson MS. Advances in the treatment of Kawasaki disease. Curr Opin Pediatr . 2013;25(1):103-109. PMID: 23283289 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23283289 .

Mason JC. Rheumatic diseases of the cardiovascular system. In: Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P, Bonow RO, eds.  Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine . 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 84.

 
  • Kawasaki's disease - edema of the hand

    Kawasaki's disease - edema of the hand - illustration

    Kawasaki's disease can produce various rashes and skin manifestations. This photograph shows mild swelling (edema) and redness associated with the disease. The hands and feet may be tender to touch and the skin may peel once the redness begins to fade.

    Kawasaki's disease - edema of the hand

    illustration

  • Kawasaki's disease, peeling of the fingertips

    Kawasaki's disease, peeling of the fingertips - illustration

    Kawasaki's disease causes various rashes and manifestations of the mucous membranes and skin. This photograph shows the skin peeling away from the fingertips. This can also occur on the palms, toes, soles, and around the nails.

    Kawasaki's disease, peeling of the fingertips

    illustration

    • Kawasaki's disease - edema of the hand

      Kawasaki's disease - edema of the hand - illustration

      Kawasaki's disease can produce various rashes and skin manifestations. This photograph shows mild swelling (edema) and redness associated with the disease. The hands and feet may be tender to touch and the skin may peel once the redness begins to fade.

      Kawasaki's disease - edema of the hand

      illustration

    • Kawasaki's disease, peeling of the fingertips

      Kawasaki's disease, peeling of the fingertips - illustration

      Kawasaki's disease causes various rashes and manifestations of the mucous membranes and skin. This photograph shows the skin peeling away from the fingertips. This can also occur on the palms, toes, soles, and around the nails.

      Kawasaki's disease, peeling of the fingertips

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

      Talking to your MD

       

        Self Care

         

          Tests for Kawasaki disease

           
             

            Review Date: 4/28/2015

            Reviewed By: Gordon A. Starkebaum, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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