What is Kawasaki disease?

Doctors from several European countries, including France, have reported in recent days the appearance of cases of children with symptoms similar to those of Kawasaki disease.  What is this pathology?

A link between the coronavirus and Kawasaki disease?  This is what suggests a study by the British health authorities relaying 12 cases in young children.  In turn, several pediatric services have alerted Public Health France to cases of heart syndromes in children, which may suggest Kawasaki disease.  Without saying that there is a link between the two pathologies, Professor Damien Bonnet of M3C-Necker explains to AFP that an "epidemic alert" is "crucial in a period when the planned activity is likely to  resume and at the time of de-containment ".

A RARE DISEASE

 Kawasaki syndrome is an acute systemic vasculitis that results in inflammation of the walls of blood vessels.  It is a rare disease first diagnosed in Japan in 1967 by pediatrician Tomisaku Kawasaki, hence its name.  This pathology often linked to a virus.

 It is very rare: it affects 1.7 children per 10,000 patients.  Among them, severe cases represent less than 5% of cases.  Mortality is therefore very low.

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WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF KAWASAKI'S DISEASE?

 Kawasaki disease manifests as a persistent unexplained high fever that is poorly tolerated over several days.  At least four of the following symptoms are associated:

 -Swelling of the lymph nodes

 -Rash on the body

 -Conjunctivitis

 - Oral involvement: raspberry tongue and dry, cracked lips

 -Roughness, edema, then late peeling of the extremities of the feet and / or hands

 DO NOT WASTE TIME, CONSULT A PHYSICIAN

 "The diagnosis of the disease, although based on known symptoms, can be made difficult and delayed by the absence of obvious clinical signs, especially in children under 1 year old," said the patient association.  The problem is that if the disease is not treated as soon as possible, it may cause serious cardiovascular complications.

 Also, it is important to consult quickly in order to confirm or not the diagnosis.  There is treatment when the pathology is diagnosed quickly.