Kawasaki disease

Synonym:

Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome

Kawasaki disease is a diffuse vasculitis of unknown etiology. First described in Japan, it is seen globally.
Affecting mostly very young children, the eruption begins with fever and malaise. Within a few days, patients develop conjunctival infection, red lips and mouth, "strawberry" tongue, red, indurated palms and soles, and a central morbilliform eruption.
By the end of the first week, as the fever subsides, periungual desquamation develops.
Arthritis or arthralgia may be present.
Potentially fatal cardiac complications develop in perhaps 20% of patients, and include myocarditis and coronary artery obstruction.

Treatment:

• Aspirin has been used in doses of 80-100mg. per kg. per day in four divided doses, aiming at a serum level of 20-25mg. per D/L.

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