Kawasaki disease is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children. Its incidence is underestimated in infants aged less than 1 year. In this population, clinical manifestations are atypical. The diagnosis should therefore be suspected in infants with persistent fever, even if not all clinical signs are present, in order to avoid delaying the diagnosis and treatment and prevent harmful cardiovascular consequences. Echocardiography is a helpful diagnostic tool and should be performed promptly in case of Kawasaki disease suspicion.
Key Words
Kawasaki disease, incidence, infant, coronary arteries, intravenous immunoglobulin
What is already known about the topic?
Kawasaki disease is a pediatric condition that more commonly affects children aged between 1 and 5 years. There are complete and incomplete clinical presentations of Kawasaki disease, the etiology of which remains an enigma. Treatment involves intramuscular administration of gamma-globulin. The main complication is coronary artery disease, with a risk of long-term cardiovascular sequelae. Below the age of 6 months, the disease is rare, with more atypical clinical presentations, thus involving a delayed diagnosis and a greater risk of coronary artery disease.
What does this article bring up for us?
This article provides us with epidemiological information regarding Kawasaki disease in a pediatric population of Western Europe (Grand Duchy of Luxembourg). It also offers an overview of the disease in an atypical age group (infants under 12 months of age), to which special attention must be paid.