Kawasaki Disease

We're mainly worried about development of coronary artery aneurysms.
Etiology Unclear cause. Self limiting, multi-system vasculitis of childhood.
Epidemiology Age <5. M:F = 1.5:1
Most common cause of acquired heart disease in developed countries.
Clinical presentation >5 days fever
- Bilateral conjunctival injection without exudate.
- Erythema and cracking of lips, strawberry tongue, or erythema of oral and pharyngeal mucosa.
- Oedema and erythema in the hands and feet.
- Polymorphous rash.
- Cervical lymphadenopathy.

Ddx: Staph/Strep infection, measles, SJS, PIMS-TS
Pathogenesis Proposed mech - necrotising arteritis → chronic vasculitis → myofibroblastic proliferation
Diagnostic investigations Echo - initial and repeat
→ role = quantify coronary artery involvement with Z-score
Management - IVIG single dose - can be given with delayed diagnosis/presentation
- Aspirin until afebrile for 72h → low dose if no CA involvement
- DAPT with clopidogrel if aspirin contra-indicated, or as dual agent if Z-score > 5
- 2nd, 3rd line: Steroids, Infliximab, etanercept

Peak onset of MI etc in first few months after illness...! Management similar to

Higher risk groups:

  • age <1
  • CRP ↑
  • liver dysfunction
  • ↓ albumin, anaemia
  • CA Z-score >2.5 on baseline echo