A Review on Kawasaki Disease

Kawasaki disease is an acute, self-limited vasculitis of unknown etiology, which mainly occurs in infants and children. The target organs of Kawasaki disease are coronary arteries and other cardiovascular structures. The initial manifestations of Kawasaki disease are high fever, inflammation of skin and mucosa, and enlargement of cervical lymph nodes. About 25% of children who are not treated with intravenous immunoglobulin during the acute phase of the disease will develop coronary artery aneurysms. Nowadays, Kawasaki disease has replaced rheumatic fever as the main cause of acquired heart disease in children in developed countries. However, there is still no specific diagnostic test, echocardiography is still the main diagnostic method of coronary artery involvement in children with Kawasaki disease, and risk stratification assessment is carried out according to Z value to assist in the short-term and long-term diagnosis and treatment of Kawasaki disease. In the aspect of treatment, there are reports on the application of corticosteroids, infliximab, cyclosporine, methotrexate, interleukin receptor blockers and so on.

This article makes a detailed elaboration on the epidemiology, pathology, diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of Kawasaki disease, so as to improve clinicians' understanding of Kawasaki disease and reduce misdiagnosis possible.