[Kawasaki disease]

Abstract

Kawasaki syndrome was first described in 1967. The diagnosis is based on clinical criteria including fever for more than five days, conjunctivitis, lymph node enlargement and changes in the oral mucosa as well as in the palms and soles. Coronary complications including aneurysmal dilatation have been reported in 20-25% of untreated patients. Kawasaki syndrome is now the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children. Six patients were seen in our department during the period 1980-99. Five were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin. All of them showed immediate improvement of their general condition and were afebrile after 24-48 hours. One patient had a coronary aneurysm of moderate size, and four patients had signs of coronary vasculitis. All coronary changes were normalized after a maximum of 17 months. An update on Kawasaki disease is presented.