Kawasaki Disease Case Presentation and Review in childhood: the importance of early recognition

Abstract

Kawasaki disease is an acute febrile vasculitis of childhood that predominantly affects the coronary arteries. The cause of Kawasaki disease remains unknown although genetic predisposition and an infectious agent are strongly suspected based on clinical and epidemiologic features. This disease, which affects children younger than five years, is characterised by prolonged fever plus
four of the following five diagnostic criteria: polymorphous rash, non-exudative conjunctivitis, oral mucosal involvement, extremity desquamation and cervical lymphadenopathy. The diagnosis should be considered in any highly irritable, febrile child with skin manifestations. Full intravenous immunoglobulin and aspirin, the mainstay of treatment, should be initiated immediately. Prompt recognition of this disease is vital in order to reduce cardiovascular complications such as aneurysms and its sequelae. We report a case of a four year-old male child that was diagnosed, managed and treated at the Corozal Community Hospital, Belize.