Kawasaki's disease is a dangerous vascular disease that can lead to a heart attack even in a small child. It causes inflammation and necrosis of the vessels responsible for the supply of oxygen to the heart muscle. What are the causes and symptoms of Kawasaki disease? How is her treatment going?

Kawasaki's disease(Kawasaki syndrome, dermal mucosa-nodal syndrome) is a disease belonging to a group of diseases called systemic vasculitis, the essence of which is necrotizing peripheral vasculitis, specifically arterioles and veins of medium and small size, most often coronary. The coronary arteries are the vessels that supply oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to the heart. In addition to the arteries, the inflammatory process can also involve the pericardial sac (pericardium) that surrounds the heart, and the endocardium, the tissue that lines the heart from the inside, and even the heart itself.

The disease most often affects children - usually those under 5 years of age. Older children and adults with Kawasaki disease are rarely seen. The peak incidence is between the ages of 1 and 2, with boys falling ill more often.

Kawasaki disease - causes

The causes of the disease are unknown. It is believed that viruses and bacteria are indirectly responsible for it (as it often occurs after a viral or bacterial infection). These pathogens are likely to initiate an abnormal response from the immune system that starts attacking the blood vessels, causing them to become inflamed and eventually necrotic.

Kawasaki disease - symptoms

  • fever - high (39-40 degrees C) that lasts at least 5 days and does not decrease despite antipyretic treatment;
  • conjunctivitis - bilateral, no discharge. Then there is redness of the eye without exudation, pain in the eye and often also photophobia;

Cases are usually recorded in the fall, winter and early spring

  • enlargement (usually one-sided) and tenderness of the lymph nodes - most often cervical;
  • a rash on the body and limbs which may look like hives or appear as measles-like spots and papules;
  • skin lesions on the extremities: erythema of the skin on the hands andsoles, swelling of the hands and feet, massive exfoliation of the skin around the nails after 2-3 weeks. There are also swellings on the back of the hands and feet;
  • changes on the oral mucosa and lips - oropharyngeal mucosa congestion, raspberry tongue, congestion, swelling, cracking and dry lips;

In addition, there may be symptoms from other organs, such as arthritis, gastroenteritis, inflammation of the liver, meningitis, changes in the urinary system.

Important

Kawasaki's disease can lead to a heart attack!

Some patients develop serious changes in the coronary vessels and the heart. Aneurysms and blood clots develop in the arteries that can lead to a heart attack. Then the child develops shortness of breath and rapid and uneven heartbeat. 2 in 100 children die, most often because of a heart attack.

Kawasaki disease - diagnosis

In a person suspected of Kawasaki disease, it is necessary to perform an echocardiographic examination of the heart in order to assess the condition of the coronary arteries. Blood tests are also performed. However, the final diagnosis is made on the basis of the above-mentioned symptoms.

Kawasaki disease can be confused with measles, scarlet fever, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, staphylococcal burn skin syndrome, polyarteritis nodosa, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, infectious mononucleosis, rheumatic fever, Reiter's syndrome, so your doctor should rule out these conditions.

Kawasaki disease - treatment

The sick person should be taken to the hospital, where cardiovascular and respiratory functions will be monitored. The patient is given intravenous fluids and antipyretics, immunoglubin and acetylsalicylic acid. Kawasaki disease is one of two conditions in which acetylsalicylic acid can be given to children.

Category:

Cardiology