Kawasaki disease affects children of all races and nationalities, but is most common in Japanese people. It can seriously complicate the work of the heart and blood vessels and lead to myocardial infarction.
Kawasaki disease is a rare disease first reported in Japan. Affects children under 8 years of age, most commonly boys. Japanese children are much more susceptible to this ailment than children of other nationalities and races. Kawasaki disease causes acute systemic necrotizing vasculitis. In this case, large, medium and small arteries are affected.
Causes and symptoms
The causes of the disease are not fully known. Seasonal variability and cyclicity of the disease suggests its infectious nature, which is why it is associated with the effects of a retrovirus, since the disease occurs suddenly and affects children with weakened immunity. The disease begins acutely, causing an increase in body temperature, conjunctival hyperemia, dry lips and oral mucosa. In the future, the baby's body becomes covered with polymorphic or scarlet-like rashes, the hands and feet swell. The child has a fever for 12 to 36 days. In the second week of the disease, the rash and conjunctivitis disappear, the lymph nodes return to their normal state, and the tongue becomes crimson, fingers and toes undergo lamellar peeling.
The danger of this disease is that it gives a serious complication to the heart. A doctor can diagnose arthralgia, muffled heart sounds, cardiomegaly, systolic murmur, and enlarged liver. The involvement of the heart in the pathological process can occur in the first days of an illness or, conversely, after a crisis. In the acute form of the disease, inflammation develops in the myocardium (heart muscle). This process most often proceeds without consequences, but sometimes congestive heart failure can occur. A weakened heart muscle cannot do its job efficiently, causing fluid to build up in the tissues and swelling.
In one case out of five, severe complications from the heart and blood vessels develop. The walls of the latter lose their firmness and elasticity, forming pockets - aneurysms. This leads to the formation of blood clots, and, as a result, myocardial infarction.
Treatment
Treatment is primarily aimed at protecting the cardiovascular system. In Kawasaki disease, aspirin remains the unchanged drug, which not only lowers fever, but also thins the blood, inhibits the formation of clots and has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. In case of damage to the coronary arteries, "Acetylsalicylic acid" is prescribed in small doses for a long time. And although aspirin is not recommended for use in children under 12 years of age, such therapy is justified in Kawasaki disease.
In addition, daily intravenous injections of immunoglobulin are indicated for 5-7 days. This drug helps to increase the patient's passive immunity and his recovery. Recent studies in the treatment of this disease have proven the effectiveness of the use of "Heparin" and regular exercise.
