Kawasaki disease is a common childhood disease that causes inflammation of the blood vessels in children. It is one of the leading causes of heart disease in children. This disease, which occurs especially in children aged 5 and 6, manifests itself with symptoms such as high fever, peeling and rash on the skin, swelling of the hands and feet, redness of the tongue and eyes. The causative agent of the disease is viruses.
If treated, it usually does not cause permanent damage and there is little chance of permanent damage occurring. If left untreated, it can lead to long-term heart conditions and cause permanent damage.
What Causes Kawasaki Disease?
Although the cause of Kawasaki disease is not known for certain, it is thought that there are some causative factors that can lead to this condition. These factors may include viruses, genetic predisposition and exposure to chemicals.
Kawasaki syndrome is not a preventable disease. There is a rare chance of recurrence after the disease has been treated.
There may also be an increase in the likelihood of this disease during seasonal transitions. As a result of the researches, the periods when the disease is more common are spring and winter periods.
Kawasaki Disease Risk Factors
The risk factors of kawasaki disease, which is frequently encountered in children, are classified in 3 groups. These factors are divided into 3 groups as age, gender and ethnicity.
Age: The risk factor in children is 5 years of age or younger.
Gender: The risk of this disease is much higher in boys than in girls.
Ethnicity: Depending on the countries where children live, the risk of developing the disease may increase.
Kawasaki Disease Complications
It is one of the leading causes of heart disease in children and can lead to a number of heart-related complications. It is treatable if diagnosed early and treated correctly. With early diagnosis and correct treatment, permanent damage is rare.
Heart-related complications that can occur in children are as follows:
- Inflammation of the blood vessels that carry blood to the heart
- Inflammation of the coronary arteries
- Inflammation of the heart muscle
- Heart valve problems
Any of the complications listed above can damage the heart. Inflammation of the coronary arteries can lead to problems such as weakening and swelling of the artery wall (aneurysms).
Aneurysms increase the chance of blood clots that can cause a heart attack. There may also be a risk of life-threatening conditions such as internal bleeding.
What are the symptoms of Kawasaki disease?
Symptoms of Kawasaki disease can appear quickly. Symptoms usually occur in 3 stages. Treating the disease within the first 10 days of onset greatly reduces the persistence and severity of the damage.
Different symptoms occur at each stage of the disease. The symptoms of the first stage of Kawasaki syndrome are as follows
- High fever lasting more than 5 days (when the fever does not go down even if antipyretics are used)
- Red eyes
- Skin rash or peeling in the chest and genital area
- Redness and swelling of the hands and feet
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Dryness and cracking of the mouth and lips
- Red and strawberry-like swollen tongue
In the second stage, symptoms include
- Pain in the joints
- Abdominal pain
- Stomach problems
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Peeling skin on hands and feet
In stage three, the last stage of the disease, symptoms tend to disappear slowly unless complications develop. It can take up to 8 weeks to return to normal.
Diagnosis of Kawasaki Disease
There are no special tests to diagnose the disease. The doctor may perform a physical examination and ask about the symptoms the child develops. A number of tests may be required to diagnose the disease, to avoid confusion with other diseases and to determine whether the disease affects the heart.
The tests that may be requested if deemed necessary by the doctor forthe diagnosis of Kawasaki disease are as follows:
Blood Tests
Blood tests help to rule out different diseases and determine the blood cell count.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Electrodes are attached to the skin to measure the electrical impulses of the heartbeat. Patients with Kawasaki syndrome may have heart rhythm problems.
Echocardiography
It is done to examine the function of the heart and to see how the heart works. It is done using ultrasound images and can help identify problems with the coronary arteries.
What are the treatment methods for Kawasaki disease?
Kawasaki disease can be treated early and correctly, and cases rarely leave permanent damage. Complications can be prevented by starting treatment as soon as possible. The aim of the first treatment administered by a specialist doctor is to reduce high fever, reduce inflammation and prevent heart damage.
After the initial treatment, the doctor plans the treatment depending on the condition of the disease. In cases where a coronary artery aneurysm develops, medication should be continued for at least 6 weeks to prevent clotting.
Children who develop influenza or similar illnesses or chickenpox during treatment should stop the medication immediately.
If the disease is left untreated, Kawasaki syndrome can last for about 10 to 12 days. However, this may be longer depending on the complications that may develop in the heart. In cases where children develop heart problems, regular medical check-ups are necessary.
Treatment methods that can be applied to children with coronary artery aneurysm are as follows:
Anticoagulant Drugs: These are medicines used to prevent clotting from occurring.
Coronary Angioplasty: a method used to open the arteries and the diseased vessel.
Stent Placement: This is a procedure in which a device called a stent is inserted to open the arteries and prevent them from becoming blocked again.