Kawasaki Disease

Blood Vessels Inflammation & Berry Tongue

Kawasaki disease produces inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body. The cause of the disease is unknown, but it may be associated with an infection. The data suggest that it may be caused by a virus or other infectious agent that triggers an irregular immune response.

• Children often have a fever, rash, and a bright red tongue (strawberry or raspberry tongue), and some develop heart complications that can rarely be fatal.
• Every diagnosis is based on specific settled criteria.
• With early treatment, almost all children recover.
• Children receive high doses of immunoglobulin and aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid).

Kawasaki disease generates inflammation in the walls of blood vessels (vasculitis); inflammation of the blood vessels in the heart provokes the most serious problems; and these can also expand to other organs, like the pancreas and kidneys.

Most children with Kawasaki disease are 1 to 8 years old, although it can be seen in infants and teens. The incidence in boys is approximately 1.5 times that of girls. The disease is more common among Japanese children, and it is estimated that several thousand cases of Kawasaki disease occur every year, but it is more common in spring or winter in the United States.