Kawasaki Disease

Kawasaki disease (KD), also known as Kawasaki syndrome, is an acute

febrile

illness of unknown etiology that primarily affects children younger than 5 years of age. Kawasaki disease causes swelling (inflammation) in children in the walls of small to medium-sized blood vessels that carry blood throughout the body. Kawasaki disease commonly leads to inflammation of the coronary arteries, which supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart. Kawasaki disease is a leading cause of acquired heart disease in children in developed countries. However, with treatment, few children have lasting damage.