COVID-19 And Kawasaki Disease In Children: Is This Rare Condition Linked To Coronavirus?

What Is Kawasaki Disease?

Kawasaki disease is a rare disease that primarily affects children under the age of five. This illness causes the blood vessels in the body to become inflamed or swollen, where the inflammation is mostly concentrated on the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle [2].

Kawasaki disease is also called mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, as it also affects lymph nodes, skin, and the mucous membranes inside the mouth, nose and throat. It is one of the leading causes of heart disease in kid, however, can be treated if recognised in early stages [3].

What Are The Causes Of Kawasaki Disease?

As of now, there is no information regarding what causes the disease. Health experts link the cause of the Kawasaki disease to bacteria, viruses or other environmental factors, but none has been proved [4]. Scientists also point out the disease is not contagious.

What Are The Symptoms Of Kawasaki Disease?

The signs and the symptoms of the disease appear in three phases and they are as follows [5]:

The symptoms of Kawasaki disease in 1st phase are as follows:

• Irritability
• Dry, red, cracked lips
• Extremely red, swollen tongue
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
• A fever that is often is higher than 38 C and lasts for more than 3 days
• Extremely red eyes without a thick discharge
• Swollen and red skin on the soles of the feet and palms of the hands

The symptoms of Kawasaki disease in 2nd phase are as follows:

• Joint pain
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Peeling of the skin on the hands and feet - especially the tips of the fingers and toes, often in large sheets

In the 3rd phase, the symptoms of the condition slowly subside - which takes a time of 8 weeks. In some children, complications may arise [6].

What Are The Risk Factors For Kawasaki Disease?

According to studies, these are the factors that can increase your child's risk of developing the Kawasaki disease [7][8].

• Age: Children under 5 years old are at an increased risk.
• Ethnicity:Children of Asian or Pacific Island descent, such as Japanese or Korean, have a higher risk.
• Sex: Boys are slightly more likely than girls are to develop Kawasaki disease.

What Are The Complications Of Kawasaki Disease?

• Inflammation of the heart muscle [9]
• Inflammation of blood vessels, usually the coronary arteries - resulting in weakening and bulging of the artery wall [10]
• Heart valve problems
• Unusual heart rhythms
• Death, in some children who develop coronary artery problems

How Is Kawasaki Disease Diagnosed?

Currently, there is no specific test available to diagnose Kawasaki disease. It involves ruling out other diseases that cause similar signs and symptoms such as the following [11]:

• Toxic shock syndrome
• Measles
• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
• Scarlet fever
• Tick-borne illnesses, such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome (a disorder of the mucous membranes)

Then, the doctor will do a physical examination and order blood and urine tests, where the blood tests help rule out the aforementioned diseases and check your child's blood cell count [12]. An electrocardiogram and echocardiogram too may be carried out.

What Are The Treatments For Kawasaki Disease?

In order to avoid possible complications, the doctor will want to begin treatment for Kawasaki disease as soon as possible [13]. Treatment for Kawasaki disease may include the following medications such as aspirin to help treat inflammation and also to decrease pain and joint inflammation and reduce the fever.

Gamma globulin may be prescribed, which is the infusion of an immune protein through a vein can lower the risk of coronary artery problems [14].

On A Final Note…

Most kids with Kawasaki disease recover completely, especially when they are diagnosed and treated early. In severe cases, a child might need surgery and infants have a higher risk of serious complications.