Kawasaki disease: Evaluation of 11 patients [Kawasaki hastaligi: 11 Vakanin degerlendirilmesi]

Kawasaki disease, preferentially affecting children younger than five years of age, is a vasculitis characterized by fever, rash, cervical lymphadenopathy, conjunctival congestion, and oral cavity and hand-feet changes. The most serious complication is coronary artery aneurysm. In this study, 11 children (3 girls, 8 boys) with Kawasaki disease, diagnosed in Ege University Hospital Department of Pediatrics between 1999 and 2003 were evaluated. At admission, mean age was 3.5 ± 2.7 (1-9) years. At the time of diagnosis, eight (73%) patients were under five years of age and the mean duration of disease was 8.2 ± 2.0 (6-13) days. Fever was present in all patients. The second most commonly seen sign was oral mucosa changes, present in 10 (91%) of the patients. In three (27.2%) of the patients, coronary artery pathology was observed. All patients diagnosed as Kawasaki disease were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and acetylsalicylic acid. Resistance to intravenous immunoglobulin was seen in only one patient. In this patient, recurrence with cardiac tamponade occurred. A heightened awareness of Kawasaki disease can prevent the development of serious cardiovascular complications by facilitating early diagnosis and treatment