Does anyone have a child with Kawasaki Disease?

My nephew (9 months old) was just diagnosed with Kawasaki Disease today. At first I thought it was a mistake because the only Kawasaki that I've ever heard of was the motorcycle. Anyway, I'm just wondering if anyone has a child that has gone through this before. My sister in-law is a nervous wreck, so I just want to provide her with as much info as possible. Much thanks.

I guess the reason that there is so much concern is because they're saying he's going to need some type of transfusion (which is a 12 hr procedure from what we're told). Does that mean that the disease is advanced?

Hi our daughter had it last year , by the time she was diagnosed she was too late for the treatment, but she did come out the other end with no heart problems, and a year later she is just fine, she was 3 when she was diagnosed and yes it is a very worrying time. but as it is a rare disease they will or should bring in a specialist in infectious diseases. even though its not infectious. the children that are caught in time and have the iv treatment generally so a doctor told us you can sit them and watch them regain their health. we were not so lucky as she missed the window for iv treatment. but as i said before she is fighting fit now. just a few emotional problems. good luck and hope it is a speedy recovery

My son, 4yrs 11mos, is recovering from Kawasaki Disease. I stayed with him in the hospital for the whole week and released on Dec. 26.
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no. And i am terribly sorry for your son. Tell him my pian for him.

What is Kawasaki disease?
Kawasaki disease is a severe, rare childhood illness that causes inflammation of the blood vessels. It most commonly affects children ages 18 to 24 months; it is rarely seen in people older than age 8. The disease is not contagious and occurs most often in the late winter and early spring. Although most children recover from Kawasaki disease without any problems, the disease can lead to heart problems.1

What causes Kawasaki disease?
Although a specific cause has not yet been identified, researchers suspect Kawasaki disease may be related to a virus or bacteria.

What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of Kawasaki disease include:

A fever lasting at least 5 days.
Red eyes.
A body rash.
Swollen, red lips and tongue.
Swollen, red feet and hands.
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
How is Kawasaki disease diagnosed?
Kawasaki disease can be difficult to diagnose. Although there is no specific test for Kawasaki disease, a diagnosis can be made if a child has a fever that lasts at least 5 days and also has 4 of the 5 other symptoms listed above. Less often, a diagnosis is made when a child has a fever that has lasted at least 5 days, 2 other symptoms from the list above, and some damage to the heart (coronary artery disease).

How is Kawasaki disease treated?
Treatment for Kawasaki disease may include medicine given through a vein (intravenous, or IV, medicine) called immunoglobulin (IVIG) to reduce inflammation of the blood vessels, aspirin therapy to lower the risk of blood clots, and possibly blood thinners (anticoagulants) to prevent new blood clots.

Kawasaki Disease is an illness that involves the skin, mouth, and lymph nodes, and typically affects children who are under the age of 5. The cause of Kawasaki Disease is unknown, but if the symptoms are recognized early, kids with the disease can fully recover within a few days. If it goes untreated, it can lead to serious complications that can involve the heart.

Kawasaki disease occurs in 19 out of every 100,000 kids in the United States. It is most common among children of Japanese and Korean descent, but the illness can affect all ethnic groups.Doctors can manage the symptoms of Kawasaki disease if they catch it early. The symptoms typically disappear within just two days of when treatment begins. Usually, if Kawasaki disease is treated within 10 days of when the first symptoms begin, no heart problems develop.

But if the illness goes untreated (time period can vary, but likely for 10-14 days and sooner in young infants), it can lead to more serious complications that involve the child's heart. Kawasaki disease can lead to vasculitis, which is an inflammation of the blood vessels. This can be particularly dangerous because it can affect the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart.

In addition to the coronary arteries, the heart muscle, lining, valves, or the outer membrane that surrounds the heart can become inflamed. Arrhythmias (changes in the normal pattern of the heartbeat) or abnormal functioning of some heart valves can also occur.




Its not as bad as it seems but I wish your sister-in-law the best of luck.

Kawasaki disease generally resolves on its own after four to eight weeks.

However, the outcome is not so favorable in every case. Rarely, Kawasaki disease can cause death from blood clots forming in abnormal areas of widening (aneurysms) of the heart arteries (coronary arteries). Those children with larger aneurysms have a worse prognosis because of this risk.

Researchers are searching for methods of detecting which children are at risk for the development of aneurysms of the coronary arteries.

http://www.medicinenet.com/kawasaki_dise...

Yes, I've had two cousins diagnosed with Kawasaki. Once it's diagnosed the cure is quite simple, just aspirin. My cousins were out of the hospital after two or three days. Reyes syndrome is a concern with young children but the doctors will monitor the child.

Kawasaki can cause heart damage but in most cases it happens when the child has been infected for more than a year. There are some web sites with good information about Kawasaki, try googling it.

i have heard of the disease as my son has a different heart condition. In Australia we have a group called Heartkids and I know there is a support group for this disease and parents that have children with it that are willing to talk to people as a support. I think if you are not in Australia you would still be able to contact them via the website - try typing in Heartkids au. Best of luck.