Kawasaki disease

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Kawasaki's disease - edema of the hand

Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome; Infantile polyarteritis

Kawasaki disease often begins with a high and persistent fever greater than 102 °F, often as high as 104 °F. A persistent fever lasting at least 5 days is considered a classic sign. The fever may last for up to 2 weeks and does not usually go away with normal doses of acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen.

Other symptoms often include:

• Extremely bloodshot or red eyes (without pus or drainage)
• Bright red, chapped, or cracked lips
• Red mucous membranes in the mouth
• Strawberry tongue, white coating on the tongue, or prominent red bumps on the back of the tongue
• Red palms of the hands and the soles of the feet
• Swollen hands and feet
• Skin rashes on the middle of the body, NOT blister-like
• Peeling skin in the genital area, hands, and feet (especially around the nails, palms, and soles)
• Swollen lymph nodes (frequently only one lymph node is swollen), particularly in the neck area
• Joint pain and swelling, frequently on both sides of the body

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Additional symptoms may include:

• Irritability
• Diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain
• Cough and runny nose

No tests specifically diagnose Kawasaki disease. The diagnosis is usually made based on the patient having most of the classic symptoms.

However, some children may have a fever lasting more than 5 days, but not all of the classic symptoms of the disease. These children may be diagnosed with atypical Kawasaki disease. Therefore, all children with fever lasting more than 5 days should be evaluated, with Kawasaki disease considered as a possibility. Early treatment is essential for those who do have the disease.

The following tests may be performed:

• Chest x-ray
• Complete blood count
• C-reactive protein (CRP)
• Echocardiogram
• Electrocardiogram
• ESR
• Serum albumin
• Serum transaminase
• Urinalysis - may show pus in the urine or protein in the urine

Procedures such as ECG and echocardiography may reveal signs of myocarditis, pericarditis, arthritis, aseptic meningitis, and inflammation of the coronary arteries.

Review Date: 06/20/2011
Reviewed By: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.; and Neil J. Gonter, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Columbia University, NY and private practice specializing in Rheumatology at Rheumatology Associates of North Jersey, Teaneck, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).