Rare disease causes heart problems
Jessica Lucas
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Features
Although it raises a striking and familiar connection to motocross, the term Kawasaki usually draws a confused faced when associated with medicine. Kawasaki's disease, though a foreign ailment to many, has an immense impact on the 2,000-4,200 diagnosed in the United States every year. Kawasaki is a children's disease, most common from ages 2-5. It was discovered in 50 children in Japan in the 1960s by Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki and it is most common among children of Japanese and Korean descent, but it can affect all ethnic groups. It is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children today.
According to Children's Hospital Boston, the first characteristic symptom of Kawasaki's disease is a high fever. This symptom could give the impression of an ordinary flu, and can be accompanied by other flu like symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, but the fever lasts for four days minimally and is soon followed by at least four of five other characteristics. These characteristic include changes in extremities, rash (often accentuated in the groin area), bloodshot or red eyes (unaccompanied by drainage or pus), redness in the lips, mouth and throat, and swollen lymph nodes (more than 1.5 cm- usually just on one side), according to Mayo Hospital. The changes in extremities usually occur one to two weeks after onset of the illness. They include reddening and rashes on the palms and soles, unexplained swelling of hands and feet, and peeling of the skin around fingernails and toenails. The reddening in the lips is usually accompanied by a reddening of the tongue as well. Children younger than six months are most at risk of being diagnosed with Kawasaki's disease.
If it is thought that a child might have Kawasaki's disease, it is very important that they are immediately taken to the hospital because if left untreated, it can lead to serious lifelong complications affecting the heart. Such cases have included vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels, which can affect the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. In addition, the heart muscle, lining, and valves can become inflamed and cause arrhythmias, which are abnormal patterns of heartbeat. Since the symptoms of Kawasaki's disease are very similar to many other viral infections such as the measles, or bacterial infections such as scarlet fever, it is difficult to initially diagnose. There is not a single test to detect Kawasaki's disease, so doctors usually evaluate by ruling out other conditions. This is done through multiple tests including an anemia test and an elevated white blood cell count. An echocardiography is also usually performed to measure the coronary arteries and function of the heart.
Ideally, treatment should begin within ten days of the beginning of the fever. Initially, intravenous doses of gamma globin are given. Gamma globin is a molecule in the blood that helps the body fight infection, as well as a high dose of aspirin to reduce the risk of heart problems. If treated immediately, the symptoms can be reduced.
Because it is such a rare disease, doctors are still unaware of what causes Kawasaki's disease, but according to the American Heart Association, it is not thought to be hereditary or contagious. Researchers studying the disease strongly suggest it is caused by an infectious agent such as a virus.
According to Children's Hospital Boston, the first characteristic symptom of Kawasaki's disease is a high fever. This symptom could give the impression of an ordinary flu, and can be accompanied by other flu like symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, but the fever lasts for four days minimally and is soon followed by at least four of five other characteristics. These characteristic include changes in extremities, rash (often accentuated in the groin area), bloodshot or red eyes (unaccompanied by drainage or pus), redness in the lips, mouth and throat, and swollen lymph nodes (more than 1.5 cm- usually just on one side), according to Mayo Hospital. The changes in extremities usually occur one to two weeks after onset of the illness. They include reddening and rashes on the palms and soles, unexplained swelling of hands and feet, and peeling of the skin around fingernails and toenails. The reddening in the lips is usually accompanied by a reddening of the tongue as well. Children younger than six months are most at risk of being diagnosed with Kawasaki's disease.
If it is thought that a child might have Kawasaki's disease, it is very important that they are immediately taken to the hospital because if left untreated, it can lead to serious lifelong complications affecting the heart. Such cases have included vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels, which can affect the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. In addition, the heart muscle, lining, and valves can become inflamed and cause arrhythmias, which are abnormal patterns of heartbeat. Since the symptoms of Kawasaki's disease are very similar to many other viral infections such as the measles, or bacterial infections such as scarlet fever, it is difficult to initially diagnose. There is not a single test to detect Kawasaki's disease, so doctors usually evaluate by ruling out other conditions. This is done through multiple tests including an anemia test and an elevated white blood cell count. An echocardiography is also usually performed to measure the coronary arteries and function of the heart.
Ideally, treatment should begin within ten days of the beginning of the fever. Initially, intravenous doses of gamma globin are given. Gamma globin is a molecule in the blood that helps the body fight infection, as well as a high dose of aspirin to reduce the risk of heart problems. If treated immediately, the symptoms can be reduced.
Because it is such a rare disease, doctors are still unaware of what causes Kawasaki's disease, but according to the American Heart Association, it is not thought to be hereditary or contagious. Researchers studying the disease strongly suggest it is caused by an infectious agent such as a virus.
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