Kawasaki Disease in 8 Questions

What is Kawasaki disease, which causes inflammation of the blood vessels? What symptoms does it present? How is the Kawasaki treatment done? Let’s start.

1. What is Kawasaki disease?

Kawasaki, called mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (MLNS);

• Enlargement of lymph nodes in the neck,
• skin rash,
• Redness of the throat and oral mucosa,
• It is a pediatric disease that manifests itself with problems such as redness of the soles of the feet and palms.

2. What causes Kawasaki disease?

Although it increases especially in winter and spring, the cause of Kawasaki disease is unknown. There are no microorganisms that cause the disease. However, it is emphasized that a toxin produced by Staphylococcus aerus may be effective in the formation of the disease.

3. What are the symptoms of Kawasaki disease?

• Rash in some or all parts of the body (especially in the diaper area of ​​babies younger than 6 months),
• Redness and swelling of the hands and soles of the feet,
• Peeling of the skin around the nail beds,
• Red, swollen and peeling lips (strawberry tongue),
• Red and inflamed eyes (especially in the white part of the eye),
• swollen glands,
• Weakness,
• tendency to sleep,
• moodiness in behavior,
• Pain in the abdomen, head or joints.

4. Who gets Kawasaki syndrome?

The disease mostly occurs in children under 5 years of age and newborns. It is more common in boys and Asians. Living next to a pond can increase the risk of Kawasaki.

5. How is Kawasaki disease transmitted?

Kawasaki is not a contagious disease. Therefore, there is no possibility of the spread of the disease in places such as children’s nurseries where daily contact is common. The probability of Kawasaki being seen in more than one person in the same family is also very low.

6. Does Kawasaki disease recur?

A second attack may occur in those with Kawasaki disease. However, this is a very rare occurrence.

7. How is Kawasaki disease treated?

Although most children with Kawasaki disease recover, some may develop cardiac complications despite appropriate treatment. For this reason, it is very important to evaluate the child’s heart frequently during the disease process.

Although it is not completely possible to prevent the disease, the risk of developing coronary complications can be reduced if the Kawasaki diagnosis is made early enough. Intravenous administration of gammaglobulin may reduce the likelihood of developing a coronary aneurysm. Administering aspirin in addition to gammaglobulin may reduce complications. Aspirin prevents blood from clotting in damaged vessels.

8. In which situations is Kawasaki dangerous?

If Kawasaki treatment is not done within the required time;

• Uveitis (eye inflammation),
• Coronary artery aneurysms (enlargements),
• heart muscle inflammation,
• Some problems can be seen in the kidney, ear, brain and nervous systems.

That’s why it’s so important to contact your pediatrician as soon as Kawasaki symptoms appear.