Kawasaki Syndrome

Also called mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (MLNS)

Kawasaki syndrome is a serious inflammatory disease that affects several parts of the body, including the heart, arteries, skin, circulatory system and immune system. It occurs mainly in infants and children (80% of cases) but can also affect adults. The cause of Kawasaki Syndrome is unknown but it affects twice as many males as females.

Symptoms of Kawasaki Syndrome include a very high temperature (104 F, 40 C) and a rash that spreads over the chest and genitalia. In particular the sufferer's lips become red as does the tongue giving it a 'strawberry appearance'. The palms of the hands, soles of the feet and parts of the eyelid become purple-red in colour and swell up. Lymph glands are also up.

Symptoms can last anywhere between a fortnight and three months.


What to Do

Kawasaki Syndrome is a very serious illness but be aware that almost all sufferers recover completely.
Consult your doctor immediately.

To be diagnosed positive your child must have at least four of the following five symptoms:

- Inflammation of the eye lids
- Strawberry tongue
- Redness in the skin or swelling in the hands and feet
- Rash on the trunk
- Swelling of the lymph nodes

There are no laboratory tests that can confirm the presence of Kawasaki Syndrome since its cause is unknown. However there are a series of other tests that can indicate a very high likelihood of Kawasaki Syndrome.

The fever and skin inflammation can be controlled by simple over the counter medication.