Lymphadenitis as the Dominant Manifestation of Kawasaki Disease

Abstract

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile illness primarily affecting infants and young children. Its importance relates to the fact that 20% to 25% of untreated patients develop coronary abnormalities that can lead to myocardial infarction or even to death.¹ KD is a leading cause of acquired heart disease in children in many regions, including the United States.² Because there are no specific diagnostic tests for KD, the diagnosis is established by the presence of fever and four of five criteria without other explanation for the illness: (1) nonexudative conjunctival injection; (2) oral mucosal changes; (3) changes of the peripheral extremities; (4) rash, primarily truncal; and (5) cervical lymphadenopathy.