Kawasaki disease (KD) is a rare but serious illness that causes inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis).
It mainly affects children under 5 years old and is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children.
🧠 What happens in the body?
- The immune system becomes overactive
- It attacks blood vessels, including the coronary arteries (heart vessels)
- This can lead to damage to the heart if untreated
🔍 Key Symptoms (CREAM + Fever)
🧩 “CREAM” helps remember symptoms:
- C – Conjunctivitis → Red eyes (no discharge)
- R – Rash → Skin rash
- E – Edema/Erythema → Swollen, red hands and feet
- A – Adenopathy → Swollen lymph nodes (neck)
- M – Mucous membrane changes → Strawberry tongue, cracked lips
🌡️ Fever
- High fever lasting 5 days or more
⚠️ Other Symptoms
- Irritability
- Tummy pain
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Joint pain
👶 Who is most at risk?
- Children under 5
- Boys
- Children of East Asian background
🧩 Causes
- Exact cause is unknown
- Likely an immune response to infection
- Genetics may play a role
🩺 Diagnosis
Doctors look at:
- Symptoms (CREAM + fever)
- Blood tests
- Heart scan (echocardiogram)
💊 Treatment
⚠️ Start within 10 days of fever
- Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) → reduces inflammation
- Aspirin → reduces fever and swelling
👉 Usually treated in hospital
⚠️ Complications
Without treatment:
- Coronary artery aneurysms
- Long-term heart damage
❗ Incomplete Kawasaki Disease
- Some children do not show all symptoms
- Still at risk of heart damage
- Needs careful medical assessment
❤️ Recovery
- Most children recover fully with early treatment
- Some need long-term heart checks
🧠 Mental Health & Family Impact
- Worry and stress for families
- Hospital stays can be difficult
- Clear information and reassurance help
🚨 When to Get Help
Seek urgent medical advice if a child has:
- Fever for more than 3–5 days
- Rash + red eyes + swollen hands/feet
- Cracked lips or unusual behaviour
📘 Easy Read Summary
- Kawasaki disease affects young children
- Causes inflamed blood vessels
- Signs = fever + rash + red eyes + swollen hands/feet
- Early treatment protects the heart
- Most children get better
📝 Module 1 – Quick Learning Check
1. What does CREAM stand for?
2. Why is early treatment important?
3. Which organ is most at risk?
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