Staten Island Heart's Doctors, Board Certified Cardiologists, Specializing in the treatment, care and prevention of Cardiovascular Disease. Located in Staten Island, New York.
Kawasaki Disease
What is Kawasaki disease?
Other names: mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, Kawasaki syndrome
Kawasaki disease is a disease of unknown origin that affects children under the age of 8. It occurs more frequently in boys than in girls. The disease is more common in those of Asian ancestry than in any other ethnic group, but it can occur in any ethnic group. Over 1,800 cases are diagnosed in the United States each year.
Signs of Kawasaki disease include: fever, rash, swollen hands and feet, irritation and redness of the whites of the eyes, swollen lymph glands in the neck, and irritation and inflammation of the mouth, lips and throat.
Scientists aren't sure what causes the disease. It is not believed to be hereditary or contagious. Current scientific thought suggests an infectious agent like a virus.
In as many as 20 percent of the children with Kawasaki disease, the heart is affected. The coronary arteries or the heart muscle itself can be damaged.
Kawasaki disease is one of the leading causes of acquired heart disease in children in the United States.
How is the heart affected?
The coronary arteries can weaken and cause a bulging (aneurysm). The biggest risk of this aneurysm is that blood clots can form in the bulging area and block the artery, but there is also the risk that the aneurysm will burst.
Other cardiac risks associated with Kawasaki disease include:
• myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
• pericarditis (inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart)
• arrhythmias (abnormal heart beats)
• heart valve problems
Cardiac problems are usually temporary with Kawasaki disease. However, permanent problems can develop.
How is Kawasaki disease treated?
Medications are often used to treat the symptoms associated with the disease. Aspirin is used for fever, inflammation and to reduce the risk of blood clots. Intravenous gamma globulin is sometimes used to decrease the risk of coronary artery abnormalities.
Kawasaki disease is a disease of unknown origin that affects children under the age of 8. It occurs more frequently in boys than in girls. The disease is more common in those of Asian ancestry than in any other ethnic group, but it can occur in any ethnic group. Over 1,800 cases are diagnosed in the United States each year.
Signs of Kawasaki disease include: fever, rash, swollen hands and feet, irritation and redness of the whites of the eyes, swollen lymph glands in the neck, and irritation and inflammation of the mouth, lips and throat.
Scientists aren't sure what causes the disease. It is not believed to be hereditary or contagious. Current scientific thought suggests an infectious agent like a virus.
In as many as 20 percent of the children with Kawasaki disease, the heart is affected. The coronary arteries or the heart muscle itself can be damaged.
Kawasaki disease is one of the leading causes of acquired heart disease in children in the United States.
How is the heart affected?
The coronary arteries can weaken and cause a bulging (aneurysm). The biggest risk of this aneurysm is that blood clots can form in the bulging area and block the artery, but there is also the risk that the aneurysm will burst.
Other cardiac risks associated with Kawasaki disease include:
• myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
• pericarditis (inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart)
• arrhythmias (abnormal heart beats)
• heart valve problems
Cardiac problems are usually temporary with Kawasaki disease. However, permanent problems can develop.
How is Kawasaki disease treated?
Medications are often used to treat the symptoms associated with the disease. Aspirin is used for fever, inflammation and to reduce the risk of blood clots. Intravenous gamma globulin is sometimes used to decrease the risk of coronary artery abnormalities.
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