Kawasaki disease
Pronunciation: kah-wah-SAH-kee di-ZEEZ
Acute febrile illness causing vasculitis in children, with potential cardiac complications including coronary artery aneurysms.
Full Definition
Kawasaki disease is an acute, self-limited vasculitis of unknown etiology that primarily affects children under 5 years of age. The condition is characterized by prolonged fever and inflammation of medium-sized arteries, particularly the coronary arteries. Clinical diagnosis requires fever for at least 5 days plus four of five additional criteria: conjunctival injection, oral mucosal changes, lymphadenopathy, extremity changes, and polymorphous rash. The most serious complication is coronary artery aneurysm formation, which can occur in up to 25% of untreated cases. Early treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and aspirin significantly reduces this risk.
Usage
Usage note: Named after Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki; also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome.
In Context
- "The child met diagnostic criteria for Kawasaki disease and received IVIG treatment." — Pediatric cardiology consultation
- "Echocardiography was performed to evaluate for coronary artery changes in Kawasaki disease." — Cardiac imaging report