Kawasaki disease is a childhood disease usually affects children less than 5 years of age and is the number one cause of acquired heart disease in children. Kawasaki disease is a form of vasculitis, which means inflammation of blood vessels. This inflammation can cause redness and irritation in many tissues of the body, including the hands, feet, whites of the eyes, mouth, lips and throat. This inflammation can also target the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that feed the heart muscle itself. 

If Kawasaki Disease is not treated, 25% of patients develop coronary artery dilation or coronary artery aneurysms. The heart-related complications caused by this inflammation can last a short time or may be long-term, depending on how much damage to the heart occurs.  

Kawasaki disease treatment will be determined by your child's physician based on:

• Your child's age, overall health and medical history
• Extent of the disease
• Your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures or therapies
• Expectations for the course of the disease
• Your opinion or preference

Over the Counter Medication
At first, the goal of treatment will be making your child comfortable with medications and therapies to reduce fever, like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil and Aleve (ibuprofen). It is also important that we make sure your child is well-hydrated by encouraging them to drink more fluid. If we need to help them, we can use intravenous (IV) fluids to keep them hydrated too. 

Once the Kawasaki disease diagnosis is made, your child's doctor will prescribe a medication called aspirin. Aspirin helps lower the inflammation and prevent clots from forming. Always check with your child's doctor before giving your child aspirin.

Intravenous (IV) Medication
Your child's doctor may also use an IV medication called gamma globulin (IVIG) which lowers the risk of the heart being affected during the hospital stay. It can also greatly lower the risk of long-term damage to the heart.