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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffKawasaki disease is a leading cause of acquired heart disease in children. About one in five children with the disease develops heart problems, but only a small percentage have lasting damage.
Heart complications include:
- Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis)
- Heart valve problems (mitral regurgitation)
- Abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
- Inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis), usually the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart
Any of these complications can cause your child's heart to malfunction. Inflammation of the coronary arteries can lead to weakening and bulging of the artery wall (aneurysm). Aneurysms increase the risk of blood clots forming and blocking the artery, which could lead to a heart attack or cause life-threatening internal bleeding.
For a small percentage of children who develop coronary artery problems, Kawasaki disease is fatal, even with treatment.
- Kawasaki disease. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4634. Accessed Dec. 19, 2008.
- Sundel R. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of Kawasaki disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 19, 2008.
- What is Kawasaki disease? Kawasaki Disease Foundation. http://www.kdfoundation.org/dl/kdfbrochure.pdf. Accessed Dec. 19, 2008.
- Sundel R. Epidemiology and etiology of Kawasaki disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 19, 2008.
- Takahashi M. Cardiovascular sequelae of Kawasaki disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 19, 2008.
- Sundel R. Initial treatment and prognosis of Kawasaki disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 19, 2008.
- KDF bridges. Kawasaki Disease Foundation. http://www.kdfoundation.org/bridges.aspx. Accessed Dec. 19, 2008.
- Hoecker J (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 24, 2008.
