Kawasaki Disease in Children: A Brief Update
Abstract:
Kawasaki disease (KD) is a common acute vasculitis of childhood that may lead to coronary artery abnormalities in about 25% of patients if left untreated. KD is reported as the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children replacing rheumatic feverin developed countries. Strong epidemiological data are not available from developing countries, but it is increasingly recognized in rapidly industrializing countries of Asia including India,where it might has replaced rheumatic heart disease as the most common cause of acquired heart disease. This increasing recognition could be due to actual rise in number of KD cases or due to more diagnosis following increased awareness.