Kawasaki disease: Shedding light on a mysterious diagnosis

JAAPA. 2020 Jul;33(7):18-22. doi: 10.1097/01.JAA.0000668792.41976.f2.

Abstract

Kawasaki disease is an acute systemic febrile vasculitis of medium and small arteries, most often occurring in children under age 5 years. This condition is the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children in the developed world. The cause is unclear but is thought to be a hyperimmune reaction to an infectious agent. Diagnosis is clinical; the classic presentation includes persistent fever, lymphadenopathy, oral mucosal changes, conjunctivitis, and rash. Although the disease technically is self-limiting, treatment with IV immunoglobulin (IVIG) and high-dose aspirin is necessary to prevent cardiac complications, such as coronary artery aneurysm, pericarditis, or myocarditis. This article reviews the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of Kawasaki disease.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aspirin / administration & dosage
  • Autoimmunity
  • Child, Preschool
  • Coronary Aneurysm / etiology
  • Coronary Vessels
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / administration & dosage
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / etiology
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / immunology
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / therapy*
  • Myocardial Infarction / etiology
  • Myocarditis / etiology
  • Vasculitis / etiology

Substances

  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • Aspirin