MedicineNet.com
About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map
February 10, 2010
MedicineNet home Picture Slideshows Diseases and conditions Symptoms and signs Procedures and tests Medications Picture Image Collection MedTerms medical dictionary Pet Health
Font Size
A
A
A

Kawasaki Disease (cont.)

What is the outlook (prognosis) for children with Kawasaki disease?

Kawasaki disease generally resolves on its own after four to eight weeks.

However, the outcome is not so favorable in every case. Rarely, Kawasaki disease can cause death from blood clots forming in abnormal areas of widening (aneurysms) of the heart arteries (coronary arteries). Those children with larger aneurysms have a worse prognosis because of this risk.

Researchers are searching for methods of detecting which children are at risk for the development of aneurysms of the coronary arteries. Further research is underway to investigate a variety of criteria for atypical variants of Kawasaki disease that do not have classical presentations.

Kawasaki Disease At A Glance

  • Kawasaki disease is a syndrome of unknown cause that mainly strikes young children.

  • Signs of the disease include fever and redness of the eyes, hands, feet, mouth, and tongue.

  • The disease can be treated with high doses of aspirin (salicylic acid) and gamma globulin.

  • Kawasaki disease usually resolves on its own within a month or two.

  • Some children with Kawasaki disease suffer damage to the coronary arteries.

Reference:

Koopman, William, et al., eds. Clinical Primer of Rheumatology. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2003.

Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology, W B Saunders Co, edited by Shaun Ruddy, et al., 2000.

American College of Rheumatology National Meeting, Boston, 2007.


Last Editorial Review: 1/6/2009




Printer-Friendly Format  |  Email to a Friend


Suggested Reading by Our Doctors
MedicineNet Doctors
  • naproxen, Anaprox, Naprelan, Naprosyn, Aleve - Explains the medication naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox, Naprelan) a drug used for the management of mild to moderate pain, fever, and inflammation. Article includes descriptions, uses, drug interactions, and side effects.
  • Echocardiogram - Information on Echocardiogram including why you would need one, the types of echocardiograms, how to prepare and what to expect.
  • Rash - Learn about rash causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Common skin rashes include poison ivy, hives, shingles, eczema, contact dermatitis, ringworm, psoriasis and impetigo.

Latest Medical News



Arthritis

Get the latest treatment options


Are you Depressed? Take the Quiz

Your Guide to Symptoms & Signs: Pinpoint Your Pain













Health categories:

Slideshows | Diseases & Conditions | Symptoms & Signs | Procedures & Tests | Medications | Image Collection | Medical Dictionary | Pet Health

Popular health centers:

Allergies | Arthritis | Blood Pressure | Cancer | Chronic Pain | Cold & Flu | Diabetes | Digestion | Eyesight | Health & Living | Healthy Kids

Hearing & Ear | Heart | Infectious Disease | Men's Health | Mental Health | News & Views | Pregnancy | Sexual Health | Skin | Women's Health | More...

MedicineNet.com:

About Us | Newsletters | RSS Feeds | Privacy Policy | Site Map | WebMD® | Medscape® | eMedicine® | eMedicineHealth® | RxList®

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies to the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

©1996-2010 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Notices and Legal Disclaimer.
MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.