Kawasaki disease in India–Lessons learnt over the last 20 years

Abstract

Over the last 20 years, Kawasaki disease is being increasingly recognized in India and it may soon replace acute rheumatic fever to become the commonest cause of acquired heart disease amongst children. However, the vast majority of children with Kawasaki disease in India are still not being diagnosed. Diagnosis of Kawasaki disease is based on a constellation of clinical findings which have a typical temporal sequence. All pediatricians must we familiar with the nuances involved in arriving at a diagnosis of Kawasaki disease. With early diagnosis and prompt treatment, the risk of coronary artery abnormalities can be significantly reduced.

Diagnosis of Kawasaki disease

“…19 In our experience there have been several instances when KD was diagnosed in time by a pediatrician but parents sought multiple consultations and several doctors questioned the diagnosis and this resulted in avoidable delays in initiation of specific treatment. 20…”

Infliximab as a rescue therapy in the management of refractory typical infantile Kawasaki disease

“…Over the last 20 years, KD is being increasingly recognised in India, and it may soon replace acute rheumatic fever to become the commonest cause of acquired heart disease among children. 3 There is paucity of Indian data on KD in young infants. Although clinical diagnostic criteria exist for diagnosing typical KD, atypical form of the disease may have incomplete clinical picture.…”

Presentation of missed childhood Kawasaki disease in adults: Experience from a tertiary care center in north India

“…Kawasaki disease is not only the most common vasculitis of childhood, but perhaps the most common vasculitis across all ages . If KD is not diagnosed and treated in time, about 15–25% of affected patients can develop CAA, the sequelae of which may be long‐lasting and devastating.…”