Kawasaki Disease

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is Kawasaki disease? " пїЅ Kawasaki disease causes inflammation in certain blood vessels in the body. The main symptoms are fever, and swelling and redness in the areas with inflammation. It is most common in children younger than 5 years old. пїЅ пїЅ

What causes Kawasaki disease? " пїЅ The cause is not known. But doctors dont think it spreads from person to person. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of Kawasaki disease? " пїЅ The symptoms include: пїЅ пїЅ

Fever
Redness in the white part of the eye
Cracked, red lips
A red, swollen tongue
A rash - The rash often starts in the genital area. It can also be on the back, chest, belly, arms, and legs.
Swollen glands in the neck
Swollen, red skin on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet

Is there a test for Kawasaki disease? " пїЅ Your doctor or nurse should be able to tell if your child has Kawasaki disease by learning about his or her symptoms and doing an exam. But some children with Kawasaki disease need tests. These can include: пїЅ пїЅ

A blood test
A urine test
An ultrasound of the heart ( "echocardiogram " пїЅ) " пїЅ This test creates pictures of the heart as it beats.

How is Kawasaki disease treated? " пїЅ Treatments for Kawasaki disease include: пїЅ пїЅ

Immune globulin (also called IVIG) - This treatment goes into a vein through a tube called an "IV. " пїЅ This is done in a hospital over a period of 8 to 12 hours.
Aspirin

If your child gets IVIG, he or she might not be able to get certain vaccines (such as for measles or chicken pox) for at least a year. That's because the vaccines might not work as well during this time to prevent disease. пїЅ пїЅ

Children with Kawasaki disease who don't get treatment are at risk for heart problems. That's because they can have swelling of the blood vessels in the heart. But only a few children have lasting heart damage from Kawasaki disease. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 17130 Version 2.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.206 пїЅ пїЅ

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Kawasaki Disease

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

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