Kawasaki disease (Also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome.) is an illness that involves the skin, mouth, and lymph nodes, and most often affects kids under age 5. The cause is unknown, but if the symptoms are recognized early, kids with Kawasaki disease can fully recover within a few days. Untreated, it can lead to serious complications that can affect the heart problems-Arrhythmias; vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels;swelling in your child's joints.
Symptoms are: conjunctivitis, rash, fever, strawberry tongue, lymph node swelling, and gingivitis; fever (sometimes as high as 104°F)
Other symptoms that typically develop include:
severe redness in the eyes
a rash on the stomach, chest, and genitals
red, dry, cracked lips
swollen tongue with a white coating and big red bumps
sore, irritated throat
swollen palms of the hands and soles of the feet with a purple-red color
swollen lymph nodes
The child also may experience joint pain, diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
Treatment should begin as soon as possible, ideally within 10 days of when the fever begins. Usually, a child is treated with intravenous doses of gamma globulin (purified antibodies), an ingredient of blood that helps the body fight infection. The child also might be given a high dose of aspirin to reduce the risk of heart problems.
What causes Kawasaki disease?
No one knows what causes Kawasaki disease. Some doctors think it may be caused by a virus or a bacteria. The illness can last from 2 weeks to a few months.
Again, the cause is of unknown etiology.
