Kawasaki Disease

Front Pediatr. 2018 Jul 10:6:198. doi: 10.3389/fped.2018.00198. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute-onset systemic vasculitis of medium-sized vessels that mostly affects infants and toddlers. Globally, it is the most common form of childhood primary vasculitis. Delayed diagnosis and treatment results in coronary artery aneurysms in up to 25% of all affected individuals. Thus, KD is the most common acquired heart disease in developed countries. Here, the current understanding of clinical presentations, pathophysiological concepts, disease-associated complications, and available pharmaceutical treatment is provided and discussed in the context of available literature.

Keywords: IvIg therapy; fever without infection; inflammatory disorders; kawasaki disease; vasculitis.

Publication types

  • Review