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What is Kawasaki Disease? |
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Written by Jessica Smith
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Wednesday, 21 October 2009 |
Kawasaki DiseaseKawasaki's disease is a poorly understood condition that affects young children. It causes severe inflammation in different areas of the body, including the heart and coronary arteries.
What is going on in the body?
Scientists are not sure what causes inflammation of body organs seen in Kawasaki's disease. Many experts believe that a virus attacks the body, involving various organs and other tissues. Children with this disease have a severe flulike illness that usually goes away within a week or two. Twenty percent of the children with Kawasaki's disease have inflammation of the heart and coronary arteries.
What are the causes and risks of the disease?
While the exact cause of Kawasaki's disease is unknown, many experts believe it is related to a viral infection. Eighty percent of the children with Kawasaki's disease are under 5 years old. It is rarely seen in adults or children after age 8. It is more common in boys than in girls. While it can occur in every race, it is more common in children of Asian descent.
What are the treatments for the disease?
Treatment usually takes place in the hospital. High doses of aspirin are usually given to relieve symptoms and prevent blood clots. Intravenous gamma globulin may be given early in the disease to limit damage to the coronary arteries.
Treatment for other complications is given as needed. For example, congestive heart failure is treated with diuretics, or water pills. Treatment usually lasts 5 to 10 days for uncomplicated cases.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Aspirin can cause:
# allergic reactions
# kidney damage
# stomach upset
Aspirin should never be given to children unless it is prescribed by a healthcare provider. Aspirin use by children has been linked to a rare, sometimes deadly condition called Reye's syndrome. Gamma globulin can also cause allergic reactions.
What happens after treatment for the disease?
Most children get better within a few weeks and have no further problems. Monitoring of the heart and heart arteries is needed after this disease, however, to detect any potential problems. Those who do develop heart problems will need further monitoring and therapy.
How is the disease monitored?
An echocardiogram is done routinely during the course of the disease and afterward. It is done to look for aneurysms, which do not always cause symptoms. A child who has an aneurysm may be given aspirin for long periods of time to help reduce the risk of a heart attack in the future. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.
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