Kawasaki disease affects coronary, small, and medium sized arteries throughout the body causing inflammation in the artery walls. Because Kawasaki disease also affects lymph nodes, skin, and mucous membranes inside the mouth, nose, and throat, it is also called mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. Children from two to five years, of Japanese or Korean descent, are usually affected although any child can get this disease. A Japanese doctor, Tomisaku Kawasaki, identified the disease in 1967. Some of the complications of the heart, and the blood vessels that supply the heart, may be life threatening. Kawasaki disease is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children. Approximately one out of every five children with the disease will develop heart problems, however less than half of those will sustain permanent damage.

Although Kawasaki disease is not preventable, it is treatable in most cases. Most children recover without serious problems from Kawasaki disease whether or not they have treatment in two to 12 weeks. However, if treatment is received within 10 days of the onset it may greatly reduce the chances of lasting damage. It's important to contact your child's doctor if your child has signs or symptoms of this disease. Because of the risk of serious complications, initial treatment is usually given in the hospital.

The cause of Kawasaki disease is not known although a number of theories exist. A specific test is not available to diagnose the disease therefore, diagnosis usually involves ruling out diseases that cause similar symptoms. Diseases with similar symptoms include scarlet fever, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic shock syndrome, measles, or Epstein-Barr virus. A physical exam accompanied by urine tests, blood tests, electrocardiogram, or echocardiogram may aid your doctor in diagnosing Kawasaki disease.

Kawasaki Disease Symptoms appear in three phases. The first phase involves high fever that may spike over 104 degree Fahrenheit then decline intermittently and lasts for one to two weeks. If your child's fever lasts for five days or more and is accompanied by at least four other signs your doctor may suspect Kawasaki disease.

Signs that may accompany the first phase of Kawasaki disease according to the Mayo Clinic are:

„X Extremely red eyes (conjunctivitis) without thick discharge
„X A rash on the main part of the body (trunk) and in the genital area
„X Red, dry, cracked lips and an extremely red, swollen tongue ("raspberry" tongue)
„X Swollen, red skin on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet
„X Sore throat
„X Swollen lymph nodes in the neck and perhaps elsewhere

During the second phase your child may vomit, have abdominal pain, diarrhea, joint pain, or the skin on the child¡¦s hands and feet may peel in large sheets especially on the tips of the fingers and toes.

During the third phase of the disease symptoms should fade unless complications develop.

Heart complications according to the Mayo Clinic include:

„X Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis)
„X Enlargement of the heart (cardiomegaly)
„X Abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
„X Inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis), usually the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart

These complications can cause your child's heart to malfunction. Inflammation of the coronary arteries can lead to aneurysms (weakening and bulging of the artery wall). Aneurysms increase the risk of blood clots forming and blocking the artery, which could lead to a heart attack or cause life-threatening internal bleeding.
For a small percentage of children who develop coronary artery problems, Kawasaki disease is fatal, even with treatment.

Photo Credit Julia Fuller 2002