| This article is professionally consulted by Associate Professor, Doctor Ho Sy Ha – Pediatrics Center, Vinmec Times City International Hospital. Dr. Ha has over 30 years of experience in pediatric cardiology and has spent a significant amount of time working at the Central Pediatric Hospital. |
Kawasaki disease is a condition that primarily affects children under 5 years old. There have been a notable number of cases reported in the United States and Japan, and in recent years, Vietnam has also seen an increase in cases. So, what is Kawasaki disease? Is it dangerous?
What You Need to Know About Kawasaki Disease
1. What is Kawasaki disease?
Kawasaki disease is characterized by a high fever or rash affecting young children, with widespread inflammation of small to medium-sized blood vessels throughout the body, including the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle.
This disease is named after a Japanese pediatrician who first described its characteristic signs and symptoms in 1967. Kawasaki disease is most commonly seen in children under 5 years old, with a higher incidence in boys compared to girls.
The immediate consequences of Kawasaki disease may not seem severe at first. However, serious cardiovascular manifestations such as myocarditis, coronary artery aneurysms leading to sudden death, myocardial infarction in young children, or chronic coronary artery stenosis may occur later.
Kawasaki disease is most frequently found in infants and toddlers. The prevalence in boys is generally higher than that in girls.
2. Causes of Kawasaki disease in children
The exact cause of Kawasaki disease remains unknown. Most experts believe it may have an infectious origin, possibly from viruses or bacteria; ethnic factors are also associated since it is more common in Asian children. Additionally, environmental factors might play a role in the disease’s onset. So far, there is no evidence that this disease is contagious.
3. Symptoms of Kawasaki disease
Some symptoms of children with Kawasaki.
Fever is the most common symptom, typically appearing first and lasting more than 5 days, often showing little response to antibiotics or standard antipyretics.
- Conjunctival injection, redness of the eyes; usually without discharge, occurring in the first week of illness.
- Bright red lips that may crack and bleed.
- Red tongue, possibly with a strawberry-like appearance.
- A rash often appears early in the disease; typically a widespread erythematous rash.
- Signs in the extremities such as swelling of the back of the hands and feet; redness of the palms and soles.
- Cervical lymphadenopathy may occur, usually on one side.
The symptoms of Kawasaki disease can resemble those of many other acute febrile illnesses such as infections or tropical febrile illnesses, and some symptoms may progress similarly to self-limiting conditions, making the disease easy to overlook or misdiagnose.
Therefore, if a young child has a high fever lasting 3 – 4 days, accompanied by 2 or 3 of the following symptoms: a red rash; red lips and a red, bumpy tongue; bilateral eye redness (conjunctivitis); swollen lymph nodes at the jaw angle, Kawasaki disease should be considered, and the child should be taken to a hospital with pediatric cardiology expertise promptly.
4. Complications of Kawasaki disease
If Kawasaki disease is not detected early and treated promptly, the clinical manifestations may resolve on their own, but complications can arise, especially coronary artery aneurysms leading to myocardial infarction or coronary artery stenosis and chronic ischemic heart disease. This occurs in approximately one-third of untreated cases.
5. Treatment for Kawasaki disease in children
Children diagnosed with Kawasaki disease should be treated in a hospital. Here, they will receive medications to prevent damage to the coronary vessels. This includes:
- Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) at high doses is the preferred treatment for Kawasaki disease patients. This effective treatment helps alleviate symptoms and, importantly, can prevent or reduce damage to the coronary arteries when given early within 10 days of fever onset.
- Aspirin (ASA) at high doses is also administered alongside IVIG during the acute phase of the disease until the fever subsides.
With proper treatment, the prognosis generally improves. Some children may require a second treatment with IVIG or other medications.
To ensure accurate diagnosis and effective treatment, preventing possible complications, parents should choose reputable medical facilities.
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