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Kawasaki diseaseDisclaimer: This fact sheet is for educational use only. Please consult your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child. Key points to remember
 Back to TopWhat is Kawasaki disease?Kawasaki disease is a rare but serious illness. It affects younger children, usually under the age of five years. It is named after Tomisaku Kawasaki, a Japanese doctor who first described the disease in 1967. It causes high fevers that last at least five days. If left untreated, about one in five children with Kawasaki disease will suffer damage to their heart. It can also cause damage to other parts of the body. Back to TopWhat causes Kawasaki disease?The cause of Kawasaki disease is unknown. It is more common in Japan than most other countries.
One theory is that a common virus or other common infection causes an over-reaction in the infection-fighting (immune) system of some children.
Kawasaki disease is not contagious (catching). Your child cannot catch it from someone with the condition. Back to TopHow long could it last?If Kawasaki disease is not treated, it can last for ten days or more.
If the disease affects the heart, then the damage can be permanent. Back to TopWhat puts my child at risk of getting it?Children of Asian and Pacific Island descent are at greater risk. Most children who get Kawasaki disease are under the age of five years. Back to TopWhat are the signs and symptoms?The most striking feature iof Kawasaki disease s a high fever that comes and goes for at least five days. Children are usually very irritable and easily upset.
They may have irritated red eyes, a rash, large lymph nodes in the neck, peeling skin on the fingers, and red lips or tongue. There are many other possible signs and symptoms including tummy pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and joint pain and swelling. Back to TopWhen should I seek help?You should see your GP (general practitioner) if your child:
Back to TopHow is Kawasaki disease diagnosed?There is no single test that can diagnose Kawasaki disease. Your doctor will consider other possible illnesses as well. The diagnosis is complicated, and is usually made by a children’s doctor (paediatrician). Kawasaki disease is usually diagnosed if your child has a fever for at least five days and at least four of the following:
Blood tests may help make the diagnosis. Once diagnosed with Kawasaki disease, your child will need an ultrasound scan of the heart (an echocardiogram) to check whether the disease has affected their heart. This is a safe and painless scan. It is similar to the ultrasound scan women have when pregnant. Back to TopWhat treatments are available?If your child is diagnosed with Kawasaki disease, there is special treatment available. It is called immunoglobulin. This is a blood product made of concentrated antibodies from donated blood. It is given through a vein. Immunoglobulin is very effective at reducing the risk of heart damage. It works best when given within ten days of the start of the illness. If it is given then, immunoglobulin reduces the chance of heart damage to one in fifty. Without treatment the chance of heart damage is about one in five.
As well as immunoglobulin, your child may be given aspirin. This is one of the very few times when aspirin is recommended for children.
Generally, aspirin is not recommended for use in children of less than 12 years. Back to TopHow can Kawasaki disease be prevented?There is no way to prevent Kawasaki disease. The complications can be prevented with appropriate treatment. Back to TopAre there likely to be any complications?The major complication of Kawasaki disease is heart damage. The most common type of heart damage is caused by irritation or inflammation of the vessels that carry blood to the muscle of the heart. The treatment described above works by reducing the inflammation and preventing the damage. If damage does occur, your child will need to be seen regularly for health checks by a doctor. After a few years, the heart damage will have healed in about half of all affected children.
There are other complicated treatments available for children with severe damage. Back to TopWhere to go for more informationOn this website
Kawasaki Disease Foundation
The Kawasaki Disease Foundation is a United States based non-profit organization with extensive information and contacts for families affected by this illness. Website: http://www.kawasakidiseasefoundation.org/ Back to TopYour notesEndorsement
This fact sheet was endorsed by PSNZ - 30/08/2005
CopyrightFact sheets are subject to copyright. In the interests of information sharing they may be copied but acknowledgement must be given to PSNZ and Starship Foundation. © The Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation 2005 - 2010
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