Kawasaki disease: part I. Diagnosis, clinical features, and pathogenesis

Abstract

Kawasaki disease, or mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, most commonly affects children between 6 months and 5 years of age. Approximately 90% of patients have mucocutaneous manifestations. This article will focus on the epidemiology of Kawasaki disease in the United States as it relates to other countries, the diagnosis of Kawasaki disease, its clinical course, and the currently accepted theories of pathogenesis. A particular focus is given to the various dermatologic manifestations that may occur.

Keywords: AHA; ALT; American Heart Association; BCG; C-reactive protein; CRP; ESR; IVIG; KD; Kawasaki disease; WBC; alanine aminotransferase; bacillus Calmette–Guérin; diagnosis; epidemiology; erythrocyte sedimentation rate; intravenous immunoglobulin; mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome; pathogenesis; pediatric; vasculitis; white blood cell.