KAWASAKI DISEASE

What is it?

Kawasaki disease is an illness that causes inflammation of your child's blood vessels, including those in his or her heart.

What causes it?

Nobody is quite sure what causes Kawasaki disease, but it is probably triggered by an infection of some sort.

Who gets it?

Kawasaki disease is rare. The most common age for it to happen is at about one year old, although it can occur in children up to five years old.

Boys are more likely than girls to get the condition. Other things that put your child at risk include being Asian or Afro-Caribbean, or having another child in the family with Kawasaki disease.

What are the symptoms?

Kawasaki disease always causes a high fever which lasts for several days. In addition, your child may get red eyes; reddening or swelling of his or her hands or feet; dry, cracked lips; a rash; swelling of the glands in his or her neck; and peeling of the skin over his or her hands, feet and groin.

If untreated, Kawasaki disease can affect the blood vessels of your child's heart, causing them to swell dangerously. It can also give rise to heart attacks and abnormal heart rhythms. In addition, your child could develop jaundice, stomach pain, diarrhoea or meningitis.

When should we see the GP?

As every parent knows, all children develop fevers and minor illnesses very often. if your child has a persistent high fever which does not settle, and especially if he or she seems unwell, has a rash, or if the skin on the hands or feet starts to peel, you should take him or her to your GP as soon as possible.

What tests will my Doctor want to do?

Your GP will want to ask you some questions and examine your child. If there is a possibility your child has Kawasaki disease, your GP will want to admit him or her to hospital immediately for tests.

What is the short-term treatment?

As well as taking aspirin, your child will need to be given medicine through a vein to reduce the inflammation.

Will it need long-term treatment?

This depends on whether or not the heart is affected. If it is, your child will need long-term follow-up from the hospital and will also have to take aspirin long-term. He or she may need an operation on the heart. However, many children who get Kawasaki disease have no long-term complications.

A DOCTOR information leaflet for patients