Context: A Bengaluru-based doctor recently reported a rise in Kawasaki disease cases among children following the devastating second wave of COVID-19.
Kawasaki Disease
About: It is a pediatric illness characterized by inflammation of blood vessels, primarily affecting young children, and is a significant cause of heart disease in this demographic.
Also known as: Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome.
First time described: Japanese pediatrician Tomisaku Kawasaki in 1967.
Risk factors:
Age. Children under 5 years old are at highest risk of Kawasaki disease.
Sex. Children who are assigned male at birth are slightly more likely to get Kawasaki disease.
Ethnicity. Children of Asian or Pacific Islander descent have higher rates of Kawasaki disease.
Causes: The disease can lead to inflammation of coronary arteries and affect various body parts like lymph nodes, skin, and mucous membranes.
Its exact cause remains unidentified, with potential links to genetics, viruses, bacteria, and environmental factors.
Symptoms: Prolonged high fever, rash, peeling skin on extremities, swelling, redness, eye inflammation, swollen glands, and distinctive oral manifestations like "strawberry tongue."
Treatment: Intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG), which is an infusion through your child's IV and high-dose aspirin every six hours.
Study on New Syndrome
A 2022 study published in the Frontiers in Pediatrics journal explored the impact of COVID-19 on children.
Discovery of MIS-C: The study identified a new syndrome called multisystem inflammatory disease in children (MIS-C), reported by the WHO and CDC.
Differences from KD: MIS-C is more frequently associated with left ventricular dysfunction (30%–40%), shock, gastrointestinal issues, and neurological symptoms compared to KD.
Unique Characteristics: KD that follows SARS-CoV-2 infection shows distinct clinical differences from traditional Kawasaki disease.