Kawasaki Disease in Children

When a parent holds their child for the first time and makes a promise to protect them and make them happy, they never imagine that their precious little one would ever have to suffer. Every parent makes sure that their children are well and healthy, but even so, children sometimes get serious illnesses that result in them spending hours each day in the hospital; not quite the happy childhood a parent wants for them.

Fortunately, with early detection and good medical care, most problems can be taken care of, and children recover and are able to move on with their lives as normal. Kawasaki Disease is one such illness, which is the most common cause of heart diseases in children.

What Is Kawasaki Disease?

Kawasaki Disease causes inflammation in the arteries, capillaries and veins. Lymph nodes are affected and have been known to cause symptoms in the nose, mouth and throat. It can lead to aneurysms if not treated.

Causes of Kawasaki in Kids

The exact cause is something that studies have not been able to identify, though most experts and researches suspect that it is caused by a mix of the body’s response to infections or viruses, genetic and environmental factors. There is no such thing as a Kawasaki virus in children. So far, there have not been any links found between any particular virus and Kawasaki Disease. It is not a contagious disease.

Who Are at Risk of Getting It

Though children and teenagers of any age and race can be affected, those who are most at risk of getting Kawasaki Disease are:

• Those of Asian and Pacific origins
• Boys have a greater chance of getting the disease
• There is more risk of Kawasaki Disease in toddlers who are younger than five years of age

There is more risk of developing coronary artery aneurysms when there is:

• Kawasaki disease in babies younger than six months of age
• A case where the diagnoses and treatment are delayed
• Those who have lesser improvement despite attempts at treating it

Symptoms of Kawasaki Disease in Children

There are some noticeable symptoms that children show when they are suffering from Kawasaki Disease.

Early Symptoms

• Fever which lasts for at least five days
• A rash which develops on the torso or groin
• Bloodshot eyes, but no crusting
• Swollen and red lips
• The tongue will appear shiny and bright with red spots, something is known as Strawberry Tongue
• Lymph nodes will swell
• Swollen feet and hands
• The possible occurrence of heart problems

Late Symptoms

The symptoms which appear within two weeks of the fever include:

• The skin on the hands and feet will peel
• Sometimes children can develop joint pain or arthritis
• Children suffer from abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea
• Experience enlarged gallbladder and temporary hearing loss

How Long Does This Disease Last in Children?

If diagnosed and treated early, children suffering from this disease will begin to feel better in a few days. It also reduces the risk of developing serious heart issues. The disease may run a course of four to six weeks, though your child’s personality and energy will take at least eight weeks to return to normal.

When to See a Doctor

If your little one has a fever that lasts for four to five days and is also showing some of the symptoms discussed above, you will have to call your doctor so that you can take your child in for a check-up. This disease can be quite tricky to diagnose, so you may have to be prepared to go to the doctor a couple of time for several examinations.

Diagnosis of Kawasaki Disease

As Kawasaki Disease can be very similar to the common viral and bacterial illnesses that occur in childhood, it is not easily detected by a single examination. Doctors will need to diagnose it by checking the symptoms of your child and then ruling out other conditions that may be caused by similar symptoms, such as scarlet disease, measles, toxic shock syndrome, idiopathic juvenile arthritis, etc.

In order for your child to be diagnosed with Kawasaki Disease, he or she will have to undergo a few tests in order to understand what the condition of the heart is. They are as follows:

• Echocardiograph

An image of the heart and the arteries is created using sound waves. This test may have to be repeated in order to keep a track on how the disease is affecting the heart over time.

• Blood Test

Blood tests will need to be performed in order to rule out the other diseases that have similar symptoms. In the case of Kawasaki Disease, the white blood cell count increases whereas the red blood cell count decrease and there is inflammation.

• Electrocardiogram

Also known as ECG, it will record the electrical heart activity. If any irregularities are found, this may be an indication that the heart has been affected by Kawasaki Disease.

• Chest X-Ray

 A chest x-ray will be ordered by the doctor in order to check for signs of inflammation or heart failure. This will be seen in black and white images of the heart and lungs.

How Is Kawasaki Disease Treated?

The sooner treatment starts, the better and so if your child has been diagnosed, start the treatment immediately in order to prevent heart damage. Intravenous immunoglobulin is administered over twelve hours within ten hours of the fever set in. A daily dose of aspirin will be prescribed for the next four days. In order to prevent blood clots from forming, your child may have to take a lower dose of aspirin for at least six after the fever leaves.

Some children are more at risk of having a heart attack or blocked arteries, and so these children will be on medication for a longer period of time. This treatment will usually involve a daily antiplatelet aspirin until the child has a normal echocardiography. The time of treatment could last at least two months.

Possible Complications

About 25% of the children who have Kawasaki Disease can develop serious heart problems. The treatment that takes place at this stage will often include long-term treatment with aspirin or blood thinners. Procedures such as coronary artery bypass coronary, coronary angioplasty or artery stenting may also be required. If treatment is not given, it could lead to potential heart attacks as well as:

• Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis)
• An abnormal heart rhythm, called dysrhythmia
• Weakening and bulging of the artery wall called an aneurysm

Can Kawasaki Disease Be Prevented?

As the exact causes of Kawasaki Disease are not known, it is not possible to prevent this rare disease, but with proper and quick diagnosis and treatment, most children recover well. Any long-term consequences of this disease are not very frequent.

Long-Term Outlook for Kawasaki Disease

Only three to five per cent of children with Kawasaki Disease develop coronary artery problems, and only one per cent develops aneurysms. Can a child get Kawasaki Disease twice? Children with Kawasaki Disease have four potential outcomes:

• Early diagnosis and speedy treatment can lead to a full recovery
• Your child may develop coronary artery problems, and in sixty per cent of these cases, a reduction in these problems is observed
• Long-term heart problems are developed, which means long-term treatment will need to be taken
• There is a recurrence of Kawasaki Disease, which fortunately happens in only three per cent of cases.

If your child has developed Kawasaki Disease, or you fear your child may have it, ensure to consult your doctor and start treatment as soon as possible. We have seen how important it is in raising the chances of your child recovering as soon as possible and avoiding any complications or chances of it recurring.

Those who develop any coronary artery problems as a result of this disease should be very careful about avoiding anything that may raise the risk of having heart problems or a heart attack. These include smoking, high cholesterol and being overweight or obese.

Also Read: Baby’s Chapped Lips