Outline
Short & Sweet Intro🧁
Kawasaki syndrome is a disease that involves enlargement or inflammation in the lining of tiny to medium-sized blood arteries that transmit blood through the body in children. Inflammation of the coronary arteries, which carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart, is a common symptom of this condition. This condition got its name from Tomisaku Kawasaki who was the first to identify the condition in Japan in 1967, and the first instances outside of Japan were recorded in Hawaii in 1976.
Since it involves swelling in glands (lymph nodes) and mucous membranes within the mouth, nose, eyes, and throat, Kawasaki illness was originally known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome.
Symptoms
High body temperature, swollen hands and feet with skin flaking, and red eyes and tongue are all symptoms of Kawasaki illness in children. However, Kawasaki illness is frequently curable, and most children who get therapy within 10 days of starting recover without major complications.
A kid with a fever of 102.2 F (39 C) for five days or longer with at least four of the following signs and symptoms is generally diagnosed with Kawasaki disease.
A dermatitis over the body's major parts or in the genital region
A neck lymph node that is enlarging
Eyes that are very red but do not have a thick secretion
Lips that are red, dry, and cracked, as well as a tongue that is exceedingly red and swollen
Skin on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet is swollen and red, with skin on the fingers and toes flaking later.
As severe as the symptoms might seem, even greater complications could occur as well. These include inflamed and enlarged blood vessels, which can cause issues in the blood veins that provide blood to the heart (coronary arteries).
Around one out of every four children with Kawasaki disease will have cardiac issues if they are not treated. In roughly 2% to 3% of instances, this condition can lead to death or fatal consequences.
As a result, Kawasaki illness is one of the leading causes of acquired heart disease in children under the age of five in the United Kingdom. Heart disease is acquired after birth.
Causes
The etiology (set of causes) of Kawasaki illness is still unknown to experts.
One hypothesis is that it is an unusual reaction to a common virus to which most individuals are immune. Since the symptoms of Kawasaki illness resemble those of an infection, bacteria or a virus might be at blame. However, no bacterial or viral cause has been found thus far.
A contrast to this speculation is that Kawasaki illness cannot be spread from one person to another since it is not infectious. As a result, it's improbable that it's caused solely by a virus.
Another is that it is an autoimmune condition, in which the body's immune system assaults healthy tissue as if it were a disease-causing infection.
The second probable cause could be genetics. This idea is that, rather than being caused by a single gene, Kawasaki disease is caused by a combination of genes, each of which increases the odds of a kid acquiring the disease somewhat.
Children from northeast Asia, particularly Japan and Korea, are more likely to get Kawasaki illness.
✨Diagnosis✨
Tests may be required to rule out other disorders that might be causing your child's symptoms.
The following are some of the problems that your child might be suffering from:
Scarlet fever - a bacterial illness that results in a characteristic pink-red rash;
Toxic shock syndrome - an uncommon, life-threatening bacterial illness;
Measles - a contagious virus that causes a fever and red-brown patches on the skin;
Glandular fever - a viral infection that causes a fever and enlarged lymph nodes;
Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) - a life-threatening allergic response to medication;
Meningitis - caused by a virus infects the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (meninges);
Lupus - an autoimmune disease that causes tiredness, joint discomfort, and a rash, among other symptoms.
Apart from the common symptoms and conditions, there are some of the tests that could help detect this disease:
Urine sample – to examine if white blood cells are present
Blood testing - A white blood cell count or a platelet count
Lumbar puncture - a procedure in which a needle is inserted between the vertebrae of the lower spine to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid.
These tests may not be definitive on their own, but when paired with some of the most common Kawasaki disease symptoms, they can assist in making a generally accurate diagnosis.
Treatments🔥
Treatment as early as possible improves the chances of a quicker recovery and lowers the danger of complications.
In certain cases, drugs are needed to help with the healing process.
Aspirin - Kawasaki disease causes a very high blood platelet count, which raises the chances of blood clots developing. Aspirin decreases fever, rash, and joint irritation while preventing blood clots. In most cases, a large dosage is required.
Unwanted side effects must be kept an eye on the patient. After symptoms have subsided, aspirin medication may be continued for many weeks;
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) - reduces the risk of coronary aneurysms, however the mechanism of action is unknown
Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors and corticosteroids - these could be used if other treatments don't work.
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