Kawasaki disease is a disease inflammation which can cause long-term complications in the heart. The disease, which is often experienced by children under the age of 5 years, initially attacks the mouth, skin, and lymph nodes.
Children with Kawasaki disease will have a fever that lasts more than 3 days and a red skin rash appears almost all over the body.
To prevent inflammation of the walls of the heart's blood vessels, Kawasaki disease needs to be treated as soon as symptoms appear. With early treatment, a child with Kawasaki disease can make a full recovery in 6 to 8 weeks.
Symptom Disease Kawasaki
Symptoms of Kawasaki disease appear in three stages, and last for approximately 1.5 months. Attached to the explanation:
The first stage
The first stage occurs in the 1st week to the 2nd week. At this stage, the symptoms that appear are:
- Fever that lasts for more than 3 days.
- Dry, red, and cracked lips and tongue.
- A red rash appears on almost all parts of the body.
- The palms and soles are swollen, and reddened.
- The eyes are red, without any discharge.
- A lump appears in the neck due to swollen lymph nodes.
Second stage
Symptoms in the second stage appear in the 2nd to 4th week. Symptoms in the second stage are:
- Diarrhea
- Throw up
- Stomach ache
- Headache
- Body feels tired
- Pain and swelling in the joints
- The skin on the fingers and toes peels off
- The skin and whites of the eyes appear yellow
- There is pus in the urine
Third phase
The third stage occurs in the 4th to 6th week, marked by the onset of abatement of symptoms. However, the condition of the child is still weak and easily tired. It will take at least 8 weeks for the child's condition to return to normal.
When to go to the doctor
Kawasaki disease is a disease that can cause permanent heart damage, so it is recommended to immediately consult a pediatrician if the child has a fever for more than three days, especially if accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Red eyes.
- The tongue is swollen and red.
- Reddish palms and feet.
- A lump appears in the neck, armpit, or groin due to swollen lymph nodes.
- A rash appears on the skin.
- Peeling skin.
If you have Kawasaki disease, follow your doctor's advice for regular checkups for up to 6 months after getting sick.
Causes and Risk Factors of Kawasaki Disease
Until now, the cause of Kawasaki disease is not known with certainty. Although the initial symptoms are similar to infectious diseases, it has not been proven that this disease is caused by infection. In addition, Kawasaki disease is also not transmitted from person to person.
Kawasaki disease is thought to be linked to a genetic disorder, which is passed down from parents. Based on research, this disease is more at risk for children aged under five, especially those who are male.
Diagnosis Disease Kawasaki
There is no specific test to determine if a child has Kawasaki disease. After asking for symptoms and performing a physical examination on the child, the doctor will perform a number of supporting examinations.
Investigations are carried out to detect other diseases that cause the same symptoms as Kawasaki disease, and to see if the disease has caused complications in the heart. The inspection includes:
- Urine examination, to see if the child has an infection.
- Blood tests, to detect anemia (lack of blood) and inflammation.
- ECG of the heart, to check for possible complications in the heart rhythm.
- echo heart, to check for abnormalities in the heart muscle or valves.
Treatment Kawasaki disease
Kawasaki disease should be treated as soon as possible, especially when the child is still having a fever. Treatment aims to prevent damage to the heart, as well as relieve inflammation and fever. The methods include:
Gammaglobulin injection (IVIG)
Gammaglobulin (IVIG) is a drug that contains antibodies that are given by injection. IVIG aims to reduce the risk of heart problems. IVIG administration can be repeated if the child's complaints do not subside within 36 hours after the injection.
Administration of aspirin
Aspirin is given to relieve fever and inflammation, and reduce pain. Actually aspirin should not be taken by children under 16 years because of the risk of causing Reye's syndrome, but Kawasaki disease is one exception.
It is important to remember that aspirin for the treatment of Kawasaki disease should only be given by a doctor. Consumption also needs to be stopped if the child has the flu or chicken pox.
After the fever goes down, the aspirin dose can be lowered if the child has problems with the heart's blood vessels. Aspirin is given for 6 months or longer, to prevent blood clots.
Administration of corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are given to children who do not respond to IVIG, or if the child is at high risk of developing heart problems.
After the treatment period, the child's heart condition should continue to be monitored. If the results of the examination echo If the heart does not show any abnormalities in the heart, aspirin can be discontinued.
Complications Kawasaki disease
Kawasaki disease that is left untreated can lead to a number of serious conditions, such as:
- Inflammation of the arteries of the heart
- Heart rhythm disturbances
- Problems with heart valves
- Inflammation of the heart muscle
Inflammation of the blood vessels of the heart can cause the walls of the blood vessels to weaken. As a result, blood clots are at risk of forming and clogging the blood vessels of the heart. This condition can trigger a heart attack.