What is KD?




KD was first documented in Japan in 1967 by Dr Tomisaku Kawasaki.  He is accredited for having the symptoms (what a child feels) and the signs (what we see) recognized as a new disease. It is found Worldwide within all ethnic groups and is increasing in many countries.

Kawasaki Disease (KD) is an illness that primarily affects young children. It is characterized by an inflammation of the blood vessels throughout the body.
About 75 percent of patients are under five years old, but it can affect older children, babies and teenagers, as well. KD is more common in boys than girls, and the majority of cases are diagnosed in the winter and early spring. It is not contagious.

 

                                                                                               

8TH INTERNATIONAL KAWASAKI DISEASE SYMPOSIUM
San Diego Date:17-20th Feb.2005
L-R - Miranda, Dr. Kawasaki and Dr. Burgner

    Early symptoms of KD include:

  • Fever that lasts for several days
  • Rash, often worse in the groin area Click here to see some examples
  • Red eyes - no discharge
  • Bright red, swollen, cracked lips
  • Red tongue (strawberry like)
  • Swollen hands and feet
  • Redness of the palms and soles of the feet
  • Swollen lymph nodes

Understandably, children with these symptoms are extremely uncomfortable and irritable. Any parent whose child has persistent fever and any of these symptoms should take him or her to the doctor immediately.

During the first and second week of illness, other symptoms may appear. A telltale sign of KD is that skin on the fingertips and toes starts to peel. Children may also develop temporary arthritis that causes pain in joints throughout the body.

Without treatment, about 25% of children develop heart disease involving the coronary arteries. Timely diagnosis and treatment (which usually includes intravenous gamma globulin) is highly effective in preventing coronary complications. Doctors continue to study the long-term outcome of children who do not appear to have coronary involvement. Other kinds of longer-term consequences (e.g., non-coronary) are extremely rare. There is no evidence that links KD with autism or a seizure disorder. A very small number of KD children might have a seizure in the early acute stage of KD when there are very high fevers, but there is no on-going or long term seizure prone condition.

In the early stage of KD, called the acute phase, a child often looks and feels so ill that it can be frightening for parents and loved ones. It important to remember that although your child may have severe symptoms, in most cases, following treatment, he or she will make a complete recovery and resume normal activities within four to eight weeks. Children in whom heart problems have been detected will need to be closely monitored by a cardiologist.

Naturally your child will be tired and you may notice a change in his/her personality but it is also important to remember that children are resilient.

For more information R.C.H Parent Information Sheet.pdf
                                     KD (Aust) Parent Survival Guide
                                     Article by Jane Newburger Sourced cira.ahajournals.org
                                     Whitehorse Division of General Practice Newsletter - (Talking Shop) November 2007
                                     KD Genetics Article - Jan 2009 Dr. Burgner and others

The following videos by the U.S KD Foundation placed on Youtube are also very informative -
                                    Animated Heart Video
                                    Reflections

The following videos were taken at the KD symposium in San Diego in November 2009. Dr. Kawasaki was a guest.
                                    KD Videos

Publicity about Fundraising Events, Warragul and Drouin Gazette-
                                    Newspaper Article