Kawasaki Disease/Syndrome

[Lisa-H]

  I am trying to find out the latest information on Kawasaki Disease.  Most
  of the information I have found is from 1995-96.  Is there any current studies
  that have been release, or another source I check for current information?
  My 22 month old son was just diagnosed with this disease and I'm trying to
  educate myself on the current status/theories and treatment.
  Thank you for any assistance you can give me in my search.
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Dear Lisa:
Kawasaki’s Disease can affect young children.  It is much more common in Japan and Korea than in the United States.  It can sometimes be a tricky diagnosis to make, as other illnesses such as measles or scarlet fever can share certain features.  The illness can affect different organ systems.  About 1% of affected children can suffer sudden cardiac death due to inflammation and dilation of the coronary arteries and clot formation in the heart arteries.  Any child with involvement of the coronary arteries should be followed closely for future development of heart problems.  Kawasaki’s can also affect the heart muscle and the electrical conduction system of the heart.  The American Heart Association has developed guidelines for doctors treating patients with this disease.  Any child with Kawasaki’s should be treated at a major medical center with a dedicated children’s hospital.  It is an unusual enough and potentially serious enough disease that it warrants specialist attention.  The cause of the disease is still being debated - probably an infection; neither you nor your son did anything wrong to cause this disease.  There are medical treatments for the acute phase of the illness such as intravenous gammaglobulin; these treatments are best recommended and delivered by specialists familiar with Kawasaki’s.  I wish your son the best of luck.  
If you wish to be evaluated here at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a pediatric cardiologist.  Information provided in the Heart Forum is for general purposes only.  Specific diagnoses and therapies can only be provided by your doctor.