Facts About Kawasaki Disease
The doctor confirmed that it was Kawasaki Disease and told my sister to prepare Php 360,000.00 which is far from what we have expected.
You might be a victim of Kawasaki Disease that’s why I’m posting here some information about the disease base from what I have researched in Google (MedicineNet.com, KidsHealth.org, Wikipedia) as well from our experience with our nephew.
KAWASAKI DISEASE
Kawasaki disease is also referred to as Kawasaki syndrome an uncommon illness in children. It was first described in the late 1960s in Japan by the pediatrician Tomisaku Kawasaki.
Kawasaki disease occurs in 19 out of every 100,000 kids in the United States. It is most common among children of Japanese and Korean descent, but can affect all ethnic groups.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
1. Persistent fever higher that 39ᵒC that will last for at least five days.
2. Reddening of the eyes
3. Rashes on some parts of the body
4. Cracked and inflamed lips and mucous membranes of the mouth,
5. Swollen palms of the hands and soles of the feet with a purple-red color
6. Swollen lymph nodes
7. May also experience joint pain, abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting
(Marianne’s Note) Not all symptoms can be seen in the patient. In the case of my nephew, on his first four days since the rashes appeared, he only experienced joint pains; rashes from all over his body but not in his face; no rashes on his lips but he was complaining that is is dry, swollen palms and feet, he vomited twice that was on his 3rd and 4th day; his fever, which ranges from 38ᵒC - 40ᵒC, lasted for four days only. On the 5th day the rashes started to dry and peels.
CAUSES
The cause is not known. Microorganisms and toxins have been suspected, but none has been identified to date. Genetic factors and the immune system may play a role. (MedicineNet.com)
(Marianne’s Note) I may agree with genetic because his second degree cousin was also a victim of the disease. Environmental Factor can also be one of the factors. But still this is not yet proven…
INVESTIGATIONS/TESTS (from Wikipedia)
A physical examination will demonstrate many of the features listed above.
Blood tests
- Complete blood count (CBC) may reveal normocytic anemia and eventually thrombocytosis
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) will be elevated
- C-reactive protein (CRP) will be elevated
- Liver function tests may show evidence of hepatic inflammation and low serum albumin
Other optional tests
- Electrocardiogram may show evidence of ventricular dysfunction or, occasionally, arrhythmia due to myocarditis
- Echocardiogram may show subtle coronary artery changes or, later, true aneurysms.
- Ultrasound or computerized tomography may show hydrops (enlargement) of the gallbladder
- Urinalysis may show white blood cells and protein in the urine (pyuria and proteinuria) without evidence of bacterial growth
- Lumbar puncture may show evidence of aseptic meningitis
- Angiography was historically used to detect coronary artery aneurysms and remains the gold standard for their detection, but is rarely used today unless coronary artery aneurysms have already been detected by echocardiography.
(Marianne’s Note) I don’t know if my nephew undergone all this tests…
TREATMENT
Treatment should begin as soon as possible, ideally within 10 days of when the fever begins. Usually, a child is treated with intravenous doses of gamma globulin (purified antibodies), an ingredient of blood that helps the body fight infection. The child also might be given a high dose of aspirin to reduce the risk of heart problems. (Kidshealth.org)
(Marianne’s Note) As soon as the lab test result proved that it was Kawasaki my nephew undergoes immediately for the treatment. I don’t know what medicine was given to my nephew. But the dosage of the medicine given to him was computed base on his age and his weight.
(More for treatments at Wikepedia and MedicineNet.com)
FACTS
It’s advantage if Kawasaki was treated earlier to prevent complications that can affect the heart. Always consult the doctor when symptoms show.
Photo Source: Wikipedia
As there are no permanent conclusions for the birth of Kawasaki disease, its important to treat it as early as possible to prevent damage to the coronary arteries and the heart. If not treated early, it is most likely that coronary arteries and the heart may get damaged.
ReplyDeleteKawasaki Disease
wow! wala akong masabi. ganun pala yun?
ReplyDeletei hope your nephew's system will cooperate with the treatment. he must be one strong soldier of his own.
keep updating!
My son had it in 2004. During those days mahal na ang medicine IVG kasi binibase sa weight ng bata. My son was 5yo then and he's overweight. Inabot din ng more than P100k gamot pa lang.
ReplyDeletehttp://penname30.blogspot.com/2009/04/my-sons-brush-with-kawasaki-syndrome.html
when your a mom na..katakot talaga if magkasakit si baby..
ReplyDelete