It is a vasculitis or an inflammation of small and medium blood vessels, which affects several organs. It usually affects breastfed infants and children younger than 7 years old. It is more frequent in people from Japan and South Korea.
The cause is unknown, but an immunological origin is associated with it.
Its manifestations are high fever, ocular reddening, reddened and/or fissured lips, reddened tongue with small red dots, rash in torso and/or limbs, swelling and/or reddening in the palms of the hands and/or soles of the feet, inflamed lymph nodes on the neck. Approximately 50% of children have cardiac involvement (tachycardia, arrhythmias) 10 days after the disease's onset.
The diagnosis is based on clinical criteria. It may be necessary to perform a blood test, an electrocardiogram and/or a cardiac echocardiogram.
The treatment includes complete rest and administration of acetylsalicylic acid, immunoglobulins and/or immunosuppressants. The evolution of the disease is usually good, particularly if treated during the first 10 days from the beginning of the symptoms.
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