ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines a case scenario on Kawasaki disease followed by a highly detailed explanation of the condition and its management, presenting the symptoms in a way that are likely to be encountered in general practice. Kawasaki disease is a self-limiting vasculitis that can occur in children of any age. It is more common in children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years. In the absence of treatment, symptoms and signs will normally resolve over the course of 10 days. The exact cause of Kawasaki disease remains elusive. Bacterial toxins, behaving as superantigens, triggering an inflammatory cascade have also been suggested but have never been convincingly isolated in patients with the condition. Diagnosis is based on the presence of a persistent fever along with the presence of various clinical features. A prompt diagnosis of Kawasaki disease is important, as a missed, untreated episode carries a significant risk of serious consequences for the child.
