What is Kawasaki disease?

Chenchen, 5, was taken to the fever clinic for examination because of fever. Could he be infected with the new coronavirus? Would he need to be isolated? Chenchen's family was worried. After investigation at the fever clinic, Chenchen had no history of contact with the epidemic area, the nucleic acid test was negative, and there was no abnormality in the lung CT scan, ruling out the new coronavirus pneumonia. Chenchen also had red lips, conjunctival congestion, and swollen cervical lymph nodes. After a series of examinations, Chenchen was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease. Next, please follow me to learn about Kawasaki disease.

Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is an acute febrile disease with systemic vasculitis as the main pathological change. The disease was first reported by Japanese doctor Tomisaku Kawasaki in 1967, so it is called Kawasaki disease. If a patient has an unexplained fever for more than 5 days and is accompanied by 4 of the following 5 main manifestations, Kawasaki disease can be diagnosed after excluding other diseases.

Clinical manifestations

1. Non-purulent congestion of the conjunctiva.

2. Erythema multiforme can be seen all over the body.

3. The lips are congested and cracked, the oral mucosa is diffusely congested, the tongue papillae are raised, and the congestion turns into a strawberry tongue.

4. Changes in the limbs: hard edema of the hands and feet in the acute phase, and membranous peeling of the finger (toe) tips in the recovery phase.

5. Non-suppurative enlargement of cervical lymph nodes.

Auxiliary examination:

1. Blood examination: mild anemia; increased white blood cell count, mainly neutrophil increase, with nuclear left shift; platelet count is normal in the early stage, and significantly increased in the 2nd to 3rd week; erythrocyte sedimentation rate increases, and C-reactive protein is positive.

2. Immunological examination: elevated serum IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE and blood circulating immune complexes.

3. Electrocardiogram and echocardiogram examination: People with heart damage may have changes. Echocardiogram can detect abnormalities in the coronary arteries and help with follow-up observations.

4. Coronary angiography: coronary artery aneurysm and coronary artery dilatation.

Since Kawasaki disease can be accompanied by heart and coronary artery involvement, it can cause coronary artery dilatation, coronary artery aneurysm or late stenosis, and in severe cases may cause myocardial infarction and aneurysm rupture, so parents have to be on guard. If you have children with the above symptoms, it is recommended that parents take their children to the heart clinic for treatment.