Kawasaki disease is the most common form of vasculitis that primarily affects children. The disease produces irritation and inflammation of many tissues of the body including the hands, feet, whites of the eyes, mouth, lips, and throat. High fever and swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck also are characteristic of this illness. The inflammation is uncomfortable, but resolves with time. However, the main threat from Kawasaki disease comes from its effect on the heart and blood vessels. Heart-related complications can be temporary or may affect the child long-term. The heart, particularly the coronary arteries, is affected in as many as 20 percent of children with Kawasaki disease. Another name for Kawasaki disease is mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome.
Kawasaki disease is fairly common in the US. According to the American Heart Association, the illness is a major cause of heart disease in children. About 1,800 new cases are diagnosed in the US each year, and the incidence is on the rise. Kawasaki disease has replaced acute rheumatic fever as the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children in the US and Japan.
Kawasaki disease occurs more often in Japan than in any other country. In the US, children of Asian or Asian-American heritage are affected more often than other races, although Kawasaki disease can occur in any racial or ethnic group. The vast majority of children who develop Kawasaki disease are under age 5. The average age child seen with the illness is 2 years old. It occurs in boys twice as often as in girls.
Kawasaki disease is fairly common in the US. According to the American Heart Association, the illness is a major cause of heart disease in children. About 1,800 new cases are diagnosed in the US each year, and the incidence is on the rise. Kawasaki disease has replaced acute rheumatic fever as the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children in the US and Japan.
Kawasaki disease occurs more often in Japan than in any other country. In the US, children of Asian or Asian-American heritage are affected more often than other races, although Kawasaki disease can occur in any racial or ethnic group. The vast majority of children who develop Kawasaki disease are under age 5. The average age child seen with the illness is 2 years old. It occurs in boys twice as often as in girls.