Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, primarily affects children and is characterized by inflammation of medium-sized arteries throughout the body, particularly the coronary arteries, which can lead to heart complications. The condition also impacts the lymph nodes, skin, and mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, and throat. With early treatment, most children recover without long-term issues.

Kawasaki disease is considered an immune-related disease, though its exact cause remains unknown.

Symptoms of Kawasaki disease typically evolve over time and can appear in three phases:

• Phase 1: High fever (above 102.2°F) lasting more than three days, red eyes, rash on the body and genitals, red cracked lips, swollen red tongue, swollen neck lymph nodes, and irritability.
• Phase 2: Peeling skin on hands and feet, joint pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
• Phase 3: Gradual symptom resolution, though fatigue may persist for weeks.

Coronary artery dilation and aneurysms may occur if the condition worsens without treatment.

Children under five years old, particularly boys, are at the highest risk. Asian and Pacific Islander children have a higher incidence of Kawasaki Disease.

• An artificial intelligence-guided signature reveals the shared host immune response in MIS-C and Kawasaki disease (2022)
• Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children and Kawasaki disease: a critical comparison (2021)
• Kawasaki disease: pathophysiology and insights from mouse models (2020)
• Missed or delayed diagnosis of Kawasaki disease during the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic (2020)