Kawasaki disease: Evaluation of 13 cases

Objective: Kawasaki disease is a vasculitis that rarelydiagnosed in our country. In this study, it was aimed toevaluate clinical and laboratory findings and outcome in13 children with Kawasaki disease.Materials and methods: Diagnosis of Kawasaki diseasewas done based on its diagnostic criteria. Biochemicaltests and complete blood count were performed andacute phase reactants were measured. Urinalysis and infectioninvestigations were also done. Echocardiographywas performed to all patients. Intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG, 2 g/kg) was given and acetylsalicylic acid (100mg/kg) was started to all patients.Results: Eight male and 5 female children were included.The mean age 3.3±1.6 years (range 1.5-7) and 12children were under 5 years of age. The mean diagnosisdelay duration was 14.2±10.6 days, median 14 days(range, 6-35) before admission to our hospital. There washigh fever in all patients, rash on body in 11/13 patients,lymphadenopathy in 9/13, desquamation at hand and feetin 5/13, conjunctivitis and oral mucosal changes in 5/11.Arthritis was found in 5/13, and convulsion and respiratorydistress in one each. Dilatation was found in maincoronary artery in 5/13 patients by echocardiography. Intravenousimmunoglobulin (IVIG) and acetylsalicylic acidwere given to all patients. Fever and other clinical andlaboratory abnormalities were healed in patients; however,coronary artery dilatation was persisted in two patientsdespite IVIG treatment.Conclusion: Diagnostic delay was frequently in Kawasakidisease due to rarity of the disease and coronary arterydilatation may not be healed always.Key words: Kawasaki disease, fever, vasculitis, coronary artery dilatation, IVIG treatment