Kawasaki disease; A review article

Abstract

Kawasaki disease is believed to be the commonest vasculitis of medium vessels in Asian children. However, the majority of children with Kawasaki disease continue to remain undiagnosed perhaps because of the lack of awareness amongst pediatricians. The clinical features of Kawasaki disease can be confused with other common conditions such as Scarlet fever, Stevens Johnson syndrome, Measles fever, systemic onset JIA, etc. Development of coronary artery abnormalities is the hallmark of Kawasaki disease and accounts for most morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. Quick recognition of the disease and early treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin results in a significant decrease in the occurrence of coronary artery abnormalities. This review emphasizes that Kawasaki disease should be considered in differential diagnosis of all febrile illnesses in young children.