What is it about ?
Kawasaki disease is inflammation of the blood vessels. The disease is considered a childhood illness. Its cause is unclear. It is thought that it could be triggered by a viral or bacterial infection.
Kawasaki disease is not contagious. A sick child cannot therefore directly transmit the disease to another child.
If the disease is not discovered and treated in time, it can affect the blood vessels around the heart (the coronary arteries) in 1 in 5 children. These arteries can dilate so much that blood clots can form in them. However, a clot (thrombus) can, in rare cases, lead to a heart attack.
Where and how often?
The disease is rather rare in Europe. Kawasaki disease is estimated to affect 15 in 100,000 children under 5 years of age. Very rarely the disease is also found in adults.
How to recognize it?
Kawasaki disease is likely when the child has at least 4 of the following signs :
- fever over 38 ° C for more than 5 days. Medicines for fever (antipyretics) fail to lower the temperature. A fever that does not go down after the administration of antibiotics may also suggest Kawasaki disease;
- the eyes are red: they do not stick and are not purulent;
- a bright red coloration of the lining of the mouth. The lips are red and chapped and the tongue resembles a strawberry;
- the hands and feet may be swollen, but this sign usually does not appear until a later stage of the disease;
- a skin rash that is variable. Most often, the skin looks bright red, but it can also peel. There are usually no blisters or pimples.
- a swollen lymph node in the neck.
These signs do not necessarily all occur at the same time.
Also consider Kawasaki disease when a child with a fever does not respond to antibiotics and shows at least 3 of the above signs. About one in two children also have diarrhea, stomach pain, an ear infection (otitis) or painful and inflamed joints. There may also be signs of meningitis.
How is the diagnosis made?
There is no specific test that can immediately diagnose Kawasaki disease. The doctor will suspect the disease based on the complaints and signs presented by the child.
What can you do ?
If your child has a high fever (over 38 ° C) which does not go away spontaneously after 3 days, see a general practitioner. Especially in the presence of several of the signs mentioned above.
What can your doctor do?
It is important to identify Kawasaki disease early in order to be able to avoid possible negative consequences. A blood and urine test is routinely performed to rule out other diseases. In Kawasaki disease, there are often signs of inflammation in the blood; a urine sample usually shows no abnormalities. An ultrasound of the heart is also done.
Kawasaki disease is treated in the hospital, where staff make sure the child is adequately hydrated. The disease is treated with immunoglobulins. These are proteins that look like our natural antibodies. These drugs are given as an infusion. Treatment prevents damage to the small blood vessels in the heart (the coronary arteries). It also causes symptoms to go away quickly.
Subsequently, the child is followed for a while by the heart specialist (pediatric cardiologist).
Want to know more?
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- Infusion explained to children – plaster
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