Kawasaki (Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome)
Kawasaki syndrome (KS) is an acute febrile illness of unknown etiology that primarily
affects children younger than 5 years of age. KS was first described in Japan by
Tomisaku Kawasaki in 1967, and the first cases outside of Japan were reported in
Hawaii in 1976.
KS is characterized by fever, rash, swelling of the hands and feet, irritation and
redness of the whites of the eyes, swollen lymph glands in the neck, and irritation
and inflammation of the mouth, lips, and throat. Serious complications of KS include
coronary artery dilatations and aneurysms, and KS is a leading cause of acquired heart
disease in the United States. The standard treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin
and aspirin substantially decreases the development of these coronary artery
abnormalities.
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