Clinical Characteristics of Kawasaki Disease in Markazi Province, Iran

Abstract

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is described as a life-threatening vasculitis, which mostly develops in children below five years of age and is diagnosed according to clinical criteria. It is also a common rheumatologic disorder in Iran. Objectives:The present study aimed at determining the clinical and demographic characteristics of KD patients in Iran. Methods: We retrospectively assessed 69 cases of KD in an Iranian pediatric population from March 2014 to March 2018. The Japanese Kawasaki Disease Research Committee guidelines were used as the diagnostic criteria for typical KD. Incomplete or atypical KD was diagnosed in patients with coronary artery changes, but without all the criteria for KD.Results: In this study, 69 patients were recruited, with a male-female ratio of 1:8. Overall, 64% (n, 44) and 36% of children met the criteria for typical and atypical KD, respectively. Also, echocardiographic abnormalities were reported in eight patients (12%). Coronary artery aneurysm was found in 2% of patients, while other cardiac abnormalities were found in 12% of patients. The male-female ratio of coronary artery anomalies and other cardiac abnormalities was 3:1. Polymorphic exanthema was the most common clinical manifestation. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate ≥ 40 mm/h was the most common laboratory finding, while skin desquamation was the most common complication in other organs.

Aseptic Meningitis, As the First Manifestation of Kawasaki Disease: A Case Report

“…According to a study conducted by Sedighi et al (10), neck stiffness occurs in less than five percent of Iranian children with KD. Ghandi et al (11) reported that about four percent of Iranian patients develop aseptic meningitis. Aseptic meningitis mostly occurs during the acute phase of disease concurrent with other principal manifestation and usually is associated with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) (12).…”