Hello and welcome to the Zero to Finals podcast. My name is Tom and in this episode I'm going to be

talking to you about Kawasaki disease. And you can find written notes on this topic at zero definals.com

slash Kawasaki disease or in the rheumatology section of the zero to finals pediatrics book.

So let's get straight into it.

Kawasaki disease is also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome.

It is a systemic, medium-sized vessel vasculitis.

It affects young children typically under five years. There is no clear cause or trigger for Kawasaki disease.

It's more common in Asian children, particularly Japanese and Korean children.

It's also more common in boys.

The key complication to remember for your exams is coronary artery aneurysms.

Let's talk about the clinical features.

A key feature that should make you think about Kawasaki disease is a persistent high fever above 39 degrees Celsius for more than five days.

Children will be unhappy and unwell when they have Kawasaki disease.

There are also some key findings in the skin that should make you think about Kawasaki disease.

And these are a widespread erythematous maculopular rash and desquarmation, which is skin-pealing,

on the palms and the soles.

Other key features include a strawberry tongue, which is a red tongue with large papillus,

cracked lips, cervical lymphadenopathy with swollen lymph nodes in the neck,

and bilateral conjunctivitis. A tom tip for you, if you come across a child with a persistent

high fever for more than five days, think of Kawasaki disease. A rash, strawberry tongue, lymphadenopathy and conjunctivitis will

seal the diagnosis in your exams. Let's talk about investigations. There are several

investigations that can be helpful in Kawasaki disease. A full blood count can show anemia,

...