Kawasaki Disease

General Info about Kawasaki Disease

Pronounced as "kah-wuh-sock-ee" it is also known, as Kawasaki's Syndrome, KD, is a disease of the children, it usually involves the skin, mouth, and lymph nodes. Kawasaki disease is an inflammation of the child's blood vessels.

The mostimportant blood vessels involved are those of the heart, including the coronary arteries. Kawasaki disease has become the most common cause of heart disease in children born without birth defects.

It is a rare but important cause of fever in children. Most often the patients are young boys or girls who are in their first three years of life. After the age of 10 years Kawasaki Disease is extremely rare.

The cause of Kawasaki Disease is unknown, but if the symptoms are recognized early, kids with the disease can fully recover within a few days. If it goes untreated, it can lead to serious complications that can involve the heart.