Kawasaki disease: report of 34 cases

Aim: In this study, we present children with Kawasaki disease and compare with the other series of patients reported in Turkey. Material and Method: This is a retrospective study of 34 children admitted and treated with the clinical diagnosis of Kawasaki disease at our Pediatric Cardiology Unit in the last five years. Complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, routine urine examination measurements, serum hepatic transaminase and C-reactive protein and echocardiography were the studies performed in all patients. Other relevant investigations were done if indicated. All patients received intravenous gammaglobulin once the diagnosis was made. Results: The age of onset ranged between 5 months to 12 years with a mean of 2.7 years. The male to female ratio was 1.6:1. Conjunctivitis, oral signs, and skin rash were among the principal clinical features present in over 80% of cases. Prominent cervical lymph nodes larger than 1.5 cm were less commonly found (61%). The echocardiogram, which was done at admission or follow-up, showed coronary artery dilatation or aneurysm formation in 11 cases (32.3%). Follow-up of these patients showed disappearance of these changes over eight weeks. None of our patients had myocardial infarction or died. Conclusions: We conclude that severe complications due to Kawasaki disease are well treated and prevented in our patients, and this can be related partly to the early diagnosis and administration of intravenous gammaglobulin.