DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

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Rare Disease

Kawasaki Disease

HIGH SEVERITY

An acute febrile illness of childhood causing inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body. Leading cause of acquired heart disease in children in developed countries. Cause unknown but likely infectious trigger in genetically susceptible children.

Global Affected

50.0K

Countries

21

Symptoms

High fever (>5 days)
Red eyes
Rash
Red/swollen tongue ('strawberry tongue')
Swollen hands/feet
Peeling skin
Swollen lymph nodes
Irritability

Treatment Options

IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin)
High-dose aspirin
Low-dose aspirin
Infliximab (resistant cases)
Corticosteroids (controversial)
Anticoagulation (if aneurysms)
Coronary interventions (severe cases)

Risk Factors

1Age (under 5)
2Male gender
3Asian/Pacific Islander ancestry
4Winter/spring season
5Sibling with Kawasaki disease
6Genetic factors

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1Clinical criteria
  • 2Echocardiography
  • 3Blood tests (ESR, CRP, CBC)
  • 4Urine tests
  • 5Chest X-ray
  • 6ECG
  • 7Exclusion of similar illnesses

Prognosis

Good with prompt treatment. 95% recover fully. Coronary artery aneurysms main complication. Lifelong cardiology follow-up if aneurysms. Without treatment, 25% develop aneurysms. With IVIG, 5% develop aneurysms.

Prevention

  • No known prevention
  • Early recognition and treatment
  • Genetic research ongoing

Research Status

IVIG within 10 days reduces coronary artery aneurysm risk from 25% to 5%. High-dose aspirin during acute phase. Low-dose aspirin until aneurysms resolve. Echocardiography monitoring crucial. Infliximab for IVIG-resistant cases. Early recognition critical.

Affected Countries

United StatesUnited KingdomCanadaAustraliaGermanyFranceItalySpainJapanSouth KoreaChinaTaiwanSingaporeMalaysiaThailandVietnamPhilippinesIndonesiaIndiaBrazilMexico

Sources

  • https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kawasaki-disease
  • https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-kawasaki-disease
  • https://www.hematology.org/education/patients
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
  • https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.