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Kawasaki disease is a serious disease of children
No one knows what causes Kawasaki disease, but it is
thought to start from an infection or from exposure to
some toxin. There is no firm evidence that the disease
can spread from one person to another.
Kawasaki disease affects mostly children
This disease primarily affects children under the age
of 5. Most cases occur in 1 to 2 year old children. Asian
children are more prone to get Kawasaki disease than non-Asian
children. The disease is seen more often in the winter
and spring seasons.
Symptoms to look for may include:
- High, spiking fevers
- Mood changes and irritability
- Red eyes, without pus-like discharge
- A red mouth and throat, and dry, cracked lips
- A red "strawberry" tongue
- A swollen lymph node ("gland") in the neck
area
- A red rash
- Swollen hands and feet, and red palms and soles
- Peeling skin of the fingers, palms, and sometimes
soles
Diagnosis can be difficult
There is no one test that can confirm this disease. A
doctor makes the diagnosis from the symptoms and a few
characteristic laboratory findings, such as high platelet
counts (cells that help blood clot) in the blood.
Kawasaki disease can be treated. See your doctor
immediately if you think your child may have this disease
Kawasaki disease is treated in the hospital with medications
that reduce inflammation. The treatment works best when
it is started early, within 10 days of when the symptoms
began.
Although most children recover completely, Kawasaki
disease can cause complications
Twenty to 25% of children with this disease may develop
swellings of the arteries in the heart if they are not
treated. Early treatment can reduce the risk of heart
complications. Other complications include arthritis,
meningitis, and rarely death.
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Maryland Department of Health
& Mental Hygiene
— Epidemiology & Disease Control Program
May 2002
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