|  | Conditions Treatments | Medical Conditions

Atypical Kawasaki Disease

Kawasaki disease is an unpreventable yet treatable medical condition that targets the lymph nodes, mouth and skin and can lead to more serious complications, including inflammation of blood vessels. According to the Nemours Foundation, it affects approximately 19 of every 100,000 American children.

  1. Definition

    • Atypical Kawasaki disease (AKD) occurs when a child demonstrates fewer than four of the five diagnostic signs of classic Kawasaki disease (CKD). The subtype is also called incomplete Kawasaki disease.

    Diagnosis

    • The five critical symptoms of Kawasaki disease are bloodshot eyes; changes in the extremities like swelling; rash; reddening of the lips, mouth, tongue and throat; and swollen neck lymph nodes. Classic cases require at least four signs.

    Features

    • Detecting AKD is often difficult because the symptoms overlap with those of other childhood illnesses, such as scarlet fever. However, AKD and CKD are equally likely to produce complications such as coronary artery damage.

    Warning

    • Babies less than six months old are most at risk of developing AKD, along with potentially life-threatening damaged coronary arteries. Therefore, treatment is essential when prolonged fever accompanies even just one symptom of Kawasaki disease.

    Considerations

    • To prevent complications and potential death, the American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that doctors thoroughly evaluate children who have at least two Kawasaki disease symptoms and a fever lasting five days or longer.

Medical Conditions - Related Articles