Kawasaki Disease

live4today, RN · Jun 2, 2003

Hi Vicky,

I had a pedi patient one time with this disease. If I remember correctly, the parents were told it was genetic and more commonly seen in the Asian population.

At first the docs thought the child had Lyme Disease because some of the symptoms resembled those of one with Lyme Disease initially, but the rash that developed (red blotches on the entire body) caused them to investigate the symptoms even further. That's when they discovered the child had Kawasaki's Disease.

Right now, that's all I can recall as this was a case I had back in the early 1990's. :nurse:

Dplear · Jun 2, 2003

Usually all they do for it is give a one time pulse dose of IGGM and that takes care of it. They are thinkoing it startes out as a viral illness that does not quite go away. It is not only in asian population but in all populations.

Dave

live4today, RN · Jun 2, 2003

YES, Dave! Now, I recall that the medication IGGM was given to the patient in the case I had dealt with many years ago. Thanks for the additional input on this. :nurse:

lucianne · Jun 2, 2003

I had a non-Asian female patient with it during my peds clinical (higher incidence in males). She got the IGGM as well as aspirin therapy. She had the fever, diffuse rash, strawberry tongue, and erythematous palms. I remember we had to watch for cardiac complications.

luci

talkall · Jun 2, 2003

i remember a child i looked after as a student with this, why do i remember it so well? cause it was in a peads hospital and they desided to treat with asprin on a sunday morning i had to run around most of the wards to fine one that had any asprin as your not suposed to give it to under sixteens.:roll

sjoe · Jun 3, 2003

I guess this isn't going to be about motorcycles after all.

rck213 · Jun 3, 2003

I have seen several of these cases in my 20 years of peds, not a genetic disease, doesn't affect only one race. One theory was child on a newly cleaned rug, questioning parasitic source, now not thinking that way, still not sure. Symptoms are enlarged lymph nodes, conjuctivitis, the telling sign is the rash on soles of feet and palms of hands. Can progress to heart involvement, vasulitis, that is why immunoglobulin given and seems to help.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Jun 3, 2003

Thank you all for your insights and experiences, this is a BIG help!!!

Cheyenne RN,BSHS · Jun 4, 2003

My daughter had kawasaki disease when she in 1982. She presented with a high fever, rash, and lethargy and was transferred to three different facilities before the doctors knew what was wrong with her.

She is now 21, but the "disease" was so new then they had to transfer her to a pediatric hospital.They treated her with high doses of ASA and treated her symptomatically. The ASA was to prevent cardiac damage. (I was not a nurse back then)

When she was better and we were able to go home, her skin peeled from head to toe like she had been sunburned badly.

We are not asian, we are quarter native american and then irish and german.

I was told the possibilty of the recently cleaned carpet could be a factor.

I do not know if that Kawasaki's was a factor in her present medical situations as no one followed her for long term affects.

My daughter does have a heart murmer with mitral valve prolaspe and was diagnosed at age seven with osteoporosis.

The osteoporosis improved once she started having her periods and her body retains calcium better but she has arthritis. She also has vertiligo on her skin.

None of it slows her down and she has a little one of her own and works full time.

Cheyenne RN,BSHS · Jun 4, 2003

Ooops. Let me clarify my post, my daughter was born in 1982, had Kawasaki's when she was 2 in 1984. I thought I had proofed that before I hit post.

Sorry.

AAHZ · Jun 4, 2003

I seem to recall something about wet carpet too. I have never seen it but remember talking about it in nursing school.