Kawasaki disease in infants

Abstract

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile illness that is the predominant cause of pediatric acquired heart disease in infants and young children. Because the diagnosis of KD depends on clinical manifestations, incomplete cases are difficult to diagnose, especially in infants younger than 1 year. Incomplete clinical manifestations in infants are related with the development of KD-associated coronary artery abnormalities. Because the diagnosis of infantile KD is difficult and complications are numerous, early suspicion and evaluation are necessary.

Incomplete Kawasaki Disease with coronary aneurysms in a young infant of 45 days presented as neonatal sepsis

“…Final outcome is poor due to delayed diagnosis and treatment with immunoglobulin [10]. The diagnosis of incomplete Kawasaki disease might be made in cases with fever lasting five or more days and classical diagnostic criteria with several compatible clinical, echocardiographic, or laboratory findings and exclusion of other febrile illness [11,12]. Diagnosis of atypical Kawasaki disease is usually reserved for those patients who have one or more atypical clinical manifestations such as renal impairment, testicular swelling, unilateral peripheral facial nerve palsy, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, pulmonary nodules and/or infiltrates, pleural effusions, acute surgical abdomen and hemophagocytic syndrome which are not seen in Kawasaki disease [8].…”

Kawasaki disease presenting as BCG scar reactivation in a five weeks old baby

“…The long term squeal includes coronary aneurysms which can lead to myocardial infarction in young adults. Cardiovascular complications are most common in infants [2].…”

“…KD often affects children younger than five years [1]. However the incidence of KD in infants less than three months is very low [2].The diagnosis is made according to clinical criteria. Classic KD is diagnosed based on the presence of fever lasting for five or more days, accompanied by four out of five criteria.…”

Incomplete Kawasaki Disease in a 5-Month-Old Girl Associated with Cerebrospinal Fluid Pleocytosis and Epidural Fluid Collection

“…The incidence of incomplete KD appears to be greater in infants of less than 1 year of age 3) . Notably, it is in infants less than 6 months of age with KD that the risk of coronary artery aneurysm is greatest 3) .…”

“…Notably, it is in infants less than 6 months of age with KD that the risk of coronary artery aneurysm is greatest 3) . The clinical presentation of incomplete KD in infants may resemble other infectious diseases, including meningitis 4) .…”