Commentary

diagnosis is based on clinical features

BMJ 2003; 327 doi: 10.1136/bmj.327.7420.917 (Published 16 October 2003)
Cite this as: BMJ 2003;327:917.1

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  1. David Burgner, paediatric infectious diseases physician (dburgner@paed.uwa.edu.au)1
  1. >1School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia

    Kawasaki disease is a not uncommon and probably underdiagnosed paediatric vasculitis. The incidence of the disease in the United Kingdom, as in other countries, seems to be increasing.1 Kawasaki disease often enters the differential of febrile childhoodillnesses, and this case shows the difficulties of making a timely diagnosis. Early recognition iscritical; Kawasaki disease is the commonest cause of acquired heart disease in children, with about one third of untreated children developing coronary artery damage with a short term increased risk of death and serious long term sequelae. Prompt treatment within the first 10 days prevents overt coronary damage in most cases.2 …

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