Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is a rare condition that mainly affects children under five years of age. It causes a severe high temperature (fever) that does not respond to medication, and a variety of virus-like symptoms such as:

• a rash
• swollen glands
• dry, cracked lips

Kawasaki disease was first diagnosed in 1967 by a Japanese doctor called Dr Tomisaku Kawasaki. The cause of Kawasaki disease is still unknown, and there is no single test or procedure that can confirm the diagnosis.

How common is Kawasaki disease?

Kawasaki disease is more common among children of North Asian ethnicity, particularly Korean or Japanese children and possibly Chinese children. In Japan, every year there are 184 cases of Kawasaki disease in children under five for every 100,000 people. 

Outlook

The symptoms of Kawasaki disease are sometimes confused with other conditions, so a diagnosis can often be difficult to make. It is important to seek medical attention straight away. Although Kawasaki disease cannot be prevented, with prompt and effective treatment, most children with the condition will make a full recovery in six to eight weeks.

Kawasaki disease causes inflammation (swelling) of the blood vessels, which can cause complications in the coronary arteries (the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart). Up to 5% of children may experience complications associated with their heart and, in around 1% of cases, the complications may be fatal.

The complications that are associated with Kawasaki disease mean that, in the UK, the condition has become the leading cause of acquired heart disease (when the heart's blood supply is blocked or interrupted).

Glossary

Disease
A disease is an illness or condition that interferes with normal body functions.

Fever
A fever is when you have a high body temperature of 38C (100.4F) or over.

Inflammation
Inflammation is the body's response to infection, irritation or injury, which causes redness, swelling, pain and sometimes a feeling of heat in the affected area.

Blood vessel
Blood vessels are the tubes in which blood travels to and from parts of the body. The three main types of blood vessels are veins, arteries and capillaries.

Heart
The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood around the body.