Diseases Commons^™

Kawasaki Disease In Pediatric Patients, Cassandra F. Krinn

Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)

Kawasaki Disease (KD) is an idiopathic, multi system disorder that is characterized by vasculitis of the arteries, capillaries, and veins. It typically affects children 5 years old or younger and is predominately seen in male children of Japanese decent. The inflammation of the blood vessels seen makes Kawasaki disease the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children, with 20% of those affected developing coronary artery aneurysms, cardiac arrhythmias, and heart failure. Diagnosis is based on criteria including presence of fever for 5 days, bilateral conjunctivitis, erythema of the lips and oral mucosa, changes in extremities, rash, and cervical lymphadenopathy. …