Kawasaki syndrome (the mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome)

Annu Rev Med. 1982:33:569-85. doi: 10.1146/annurev.me.33.020182.003033.

Abstract

Kawasaki Syndrome is a newly recognized clinical entity characterized by multisystem involvement. It has an acute onset and a triphasic clinical course. Although essentially a self-limited disease, permanent vascular damage, especially involving the coronary arteries, may result. Pathologically the disease is characterized by widespread vasculitis. There is a monomodal age distribution with peak occurrence during the first 2 years of life; few affected over the age of 8 years. Males outnumber females 1.5:1, persons of Japanese extraction are overrepresented compared with other races, and Caucasians are underrepresented. Community-wide epidemics occur in diverse locations but there is no evidence for direct person-to-person transmission. Etiology remains unknown. Therapy remains supportive and should be directed at careful clinical evaluation for cardiovascular abnormalities and antiplatelet aggregation therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis / diagnosis
  • Aspirin / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Fever / diagnosis
  • Hawaii
  • Heart Diseases / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Japan
  • Lymphatic Diseases*
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Aseptic / diagnosis
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome* / epidemiology
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome* / therapy
  • Pyuria / diagnosis

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Aspirin