Kawasaki disease threat to children

Kawasaki disease, or Kawasaki syndrome, although rare, can cause death among infected children if it is not given appropriate treatment immediately.

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Teaching Hospital senior consultant paediatrician and consultant clinical immunologist and allergist Assoc Prof Dr Intan Hakimah Ismail said the disease, that involves inflammation of blood vessels, tends to strike children below the age of five.

“The most worrying complication of Kawasaki disease is inflammation of the coronary arteries, which can lead to heart problems and death if not treated properly,” she said.

Intan Hakimah, who is also UPM head of clinical immunology unit, said parents can take the first step by taking their child to a doctor, preferably a paediatrician, if he shows symptoms such as fever for more than five days, rashes, swelling of glands, red and swollen tongue called “strawberry tongue”, as well as red eyes.

On Monday, the Health Ministry posted an infographic on Kawasaki disease and advised parents to seek immediate treatment if their child showed Kawasaki symptoms to reduce risk of heart complications.

Intan Hakimah said most of the children, who developed Kawasaki disease, recovered within a few days. However, in some serious cases, patients need to be given intravenous infusion to help reduce swelling and inflammation in the blood vessels.

Senior consultant paediatrician Datuk Dr Amar Singh said Kawasaki syndrome is not caused by virus and Asian young children were more prone to the disease. – Bernama