What Is Kawasaki Disease?

Kawasaki (KAH-wah-SAH-ke) disease is a rare childhood disease. It's a form of a disease called vasculitis (vas-kyu-LI-tis).

In Kawasaki disease, the walls of the blood vessels throughout the body become inflamed. The disease can affect any type of blood vessel in the body, including the arteries, veins, and capillaries.

In some cases, Kawasaki disease affects the coronary arteries, which carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart. As a result, a small number of children who have Kawasaki disease may develop serious heart problems.

Overview

The cause of Kawasaki disease isn't known. The body's response to a virus or infection combined with genetic factors may cause the disease. However, no specific virus or infection has been found, and the role of genetics isn't known.

The disease can't be passed from one child to another. Your child won't get it from close contact with a child who has the disease. Also, if your child has the disease, he or she can't pass it on to another child.

Kawasaki disease affects children of all races and both genders. It occurs most often in children of Asian and Pacific Island descent. It's more likely to affect males, and most cases occur in children younger than 5 years.

One of the main symptoms of this disease is a fever that lasts longer than 5 days. The fever remains high even after treatment with standard childhood fever medicines. Children with the disease also may have red eyes, red lips, and redness on the palms of their hands and soles of their feet. These are all signs of inflamed blood vessels.

Early treatment is important. It helps reduce the risk that Kawasaki disease will affect the coronary arteries and cause more serious problems.

Outlook

Kawasaki disease can't be prevented. However, most children who develop Kawasaki disease fully recover—usually within weeks of getting symptoms. Further problems are rare.

In some children, the disease affects the coronary arteries. This can cause serious problems. These children need long-term care and treatment.

Researchers continue to look for the cause of Kawasaki disease and better ways to diagnose and treat it. They also hope to learn more about long-term health risks, if any, for people who have had the disease.

December 2007