PEDIATRICS Vol. 122 No. 3 September 2008, pp. e783-e785 (doi:10.1542/peds.2007-3238)
EXPERIENCE & REASON |
Facial Nerve Palsy Complicating Kawasaki Disease
a School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
b Infectious Diseases and General Paediatrics, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, Australia
c Division of Cardiology, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
ABSTRACT
The diagnosis of Kawasaki disease, the most common cause of pediatric acquired heart disease, is difficult and often delayed for children whose age falls outside the typical range of 6 months to 5 years, especially in those with incomplete Kawasaki disease and atypical features. Delayed diagnosis is associated with an increased incidence of coronary artery pathology. Here we describe 2 cases of lower motor neuron facial nerve palsy complicating Kawasaki disease. In both cases the diagnosis of Kawasaki disease was not made acutely, and both patients developed extensive coronary artery lesions. These cases highlight the importance of considering Kawasaki disease in children with unexplained prolonged fever at any age, particularly those without full diagnostic criteria and with unusual features.
Key Words: Kawasaki disease facial nerve palsy vasculitis
Abbreviations: KD, Kawasaki disease CA, coronary artery HSV, herpes simplex virus IVIg, intravenous immunoglobulin RCA, right coronary artery LAD, left anterior descending coronary artery
Accepted Mar 17, 2008.
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