Kawasaki Disease Vs. Autism

Kawasaki disease may be an autoimmune disorder presenting inflammation of the arteries, accompanied by a fever. Autism is a neurological disorder characterized by severe social impairment and difficulties in communication.

Prevalence

• In 2009, the Center for Disease Control reported a new estimate that 1 in 90 children between 3 to 17 years of age are diagnosed with autism in the United States. The same agency reports that Kawasaki disease affects 9 to 19 out of every 100,000 children in the United States.

Cause

• Kawasaki disease is believed to be caused by a reaction to a virus or an infectious agent. Autism is believed to be caused by a combination of genetics and environmental triggers; but similarly, the exact cause of either condition is unknown.

Similarities

• A high-grade fever is always present at the beginning (lasting up to two weeks) of Kawasaki disease; many children diagnosed with autism begin to lose social and communication skills after a high-grade fever. Abdominal pain tends to be present in both conditions.

Differences

• Autism is not diagnosed until the age of three, whereas Kawasaki can present in infants and is always diagnosed prior the age of five years. Kawasaki Syndrome patients present with a host of outward symptoms such as rash and red eyes; autism patients may show no physical or physiological symptoms at all.

Treatment

• Kawasaki disease, when caught in time, can be cured with antibody treatment and a high dose of aspirin to prevent heart problems. There is no cure for autism as of 2009, but a variety of treatments help to manage the condition.