In what can be called a rare but rapidly spreading disease, the Kawasaki Syndrome or Disease (KD) continues to remain one of the largely undiagnosed conditions in Indian children, primarily due to lack of awareness amongst pediatricians. KD is believed to be the commonest vasculitic disorder of children. Incidence rates as high as 60 to 150 per one lakh children below the age of five have been reported from several countries.
It is a condition that causes inflammation in the walls of medium-sized arteries throughout the body, including the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle. It is also called mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome because it also affects lymph nodes, skin, and the mucous membranes inside the mouth, nose and throat.
Some of the classic symptoms of KD apart from fever include redness in both eyes; a very red, swollen tongue; redness of the palms or soles; skin peeling; a rash; and swollen lymph nodes. The symptoms usually appear in three phases.
The goal of initial treatment is to lower fever and inflammation and prevent heart damage. The recommendations may include infusion of an immune protein (gamma globulin) through a vein (intravenously) to lower the risk of coronary artery problems; and high doses of aspirin to help treat inflammation.
The aim is to prevent thrombosis and myocardial ischemia while maintaining optimal cardiovascular health. Risk-stratification of patients for effective long-term evaluation and management should be done according to the relative risk of myocardial ischemia, either related to coronary artery thrombosis or stenoses/occlusions.