23/04/2026
Kawasaki Disease: Acute medium-vessel vasculitis of childhood that especially affects the coronary arteries. It is an important cause of acquired heart disease in children.
๐น Age Group
โ Usually affects children under 5 years
โ Most common between 1โ5 years
โ Can rarely occur in infants, older children, and adults
๐น Etiology
โ Exact cause is unknown
โ Thought to be an abnormal immune response in a genetically susceptible child, possibly triggered by infection
๐น Clinical Features
โ Fever for โฅ 5 days is essential
โ Bilateral nonpurulent conjunctivitis
โ Oral changes: red cracked lips, strawberry tongue, erythematous oral mucosa
โ Polymorphous rash
โ Erythema/edema of hands and feet, followed later by desquamation of fingers and toes
โ Cervical lymphadenopathy usually unilateral
๐น Diagnosis
โ Mainly a clinical diagnosis
โ Classic diagnosis: fever for at least 5 days + at least 4 of the 5 principal features
โ Echocardiography is done once Kawasaki disease is suspected to assess coronary involvement
๐น Important Complication
โ Coronary artery aneurysm is the most feared complication
โ Can lead to thrombosis, myocardial infarction, or sudden death if untreated
๐น Laboratory Findings
โ Elevated ESR/CRP
โ Leukocytosis may be present
โ Thrombocytosis often appears in the subacute phase
๐น Management
โ IVIG is the main treatment
โ Aspirin is given along with IVIG
โ Early treatment reduces the risk of coronary artery complications
โ Hospital admission and cardiac monitoring are important
๐น High-Yield Points
โ Child < 5 years + prolonged fever + conjunctivitis + strawberry tongue + rash + hand/foot changes = think Kawasaki disease
โ Major danger = coronary artery aneurysm
โ IVIG + aspirin = standard treatment
