Pathophysiology of Kawasaki Disease

As the American Heart Association explains, Kawasaki disease is a rare childhood illness that affects the skin, lymph nodes, mucous membranes and arteries. The disease most often occurs in children younger than 5. Most children who get Kawasaki disease recover without lasting complications.

Causes

• As the American Heart Association notes, the cause of Kawasaki disease is currently unknown, although some researchers think it may be caused by an agent such as a virus.

First Phase

• As KidsHealth from Nemours explains, Kawasaki disease usually features a high, persistent fever. Other characteristic symptoms include red eyes, chapped lips, a swollen tongue, rash on the middle part of the body, inflamed lymph nodes, and swollen hands and feet. The first phase of the disease typically lasts five days to two weeks.

Second Phase

• According to the Mayo Clinic, during the second phase of Kawasaki disease the skin on the hands and feet may start to peel. Abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea and joint pain are also common.

Treatment

• According to KidsHealth from Nemours, children with Kawasaki disease are usually treated with intravenous gamma globulin to fight infection, as well as with aspirin to protect against heart problems. (As the Mayo Clinic notes, treatment for Kawasaki disease is one of the few instances in which aspirin is approved for children. Due to the risk of Reyes syndrome, do not give your child aspirin unless your doctor advises you to do so.)

Complications

• As the Mayo Clinic explains, the inflammation caused by Kawasaki disease leads to heart problems in about 1 in 5 children, although only a small number suffer lasting damage. Complications are less likely when treatment begins within 10 days. According to MedlinePlus, about 1 percent of patients die due to complications.