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Kawasaki Syndrome 

Discussion

A 5-year-old male is brought to the paediatric clinic by his parents with a 5-day history of high fever (up to 39.5°C), irritability, and a red rash that started on his torso and spread to his limbs. He has also developed swelling and redness in both eyes, which his parents noticed on the third day of his illness. He has been refusing food and drinks due to a sore throat, and his lips appear cracked and red. On examination, he is febrile, tachycardic, and slightly lethargic. His blood pressure is normal, but his extremities show erythema and oedema, particularly of the hands and feet. His tongue appears "strawberry" red, and there are diffuse, erythematous lesions on his lips and mouth.

The patient’s conjunctiva is markedly injected without any purulent discharge, and there is a bright red, non-blanching rash across his trunk and extremities. His cervical lymph nodes are swollen, but there is no evidence of respiratory distress or other signs of an acute infection. A chest X-ray and basic blood tests show mild leucocytosis and an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level, indicating inflammation.

The patient is diagnosed with Kawasaki disease based on the clinical criteria of fever lasting more than five days along with conjunctival injection, erythematous rash, extremity changes, and mucosal involvement. The patient is started on high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and aspirin to reduce the risk of coronary artery involvement. Close monitoring for any signs of coronary artery aneurysm is initiated, and the patient is referred for cardiology follow-up.

Questions
1. What is the most likely diagnosis for this patient based on the clinical presentation and findings?

A) Scarlet fever

B) Kawasaki disease

C) Infectious mononucleosis

D) Measles

2. Which of the following is a key feature of Kawasaki disease that helps differentiate it from other febrile illnesses?

A) Non-blanching petechial rash and splenomegaly

B) High fever for at least five days, along with conjunctival injection, mucosal changes, and extremity swelling

C) Swollen lymph nodes with a productive cough

D) Oral ulcers and a maculopapular rash in the first 48 hours of illness

 

3. What is the first-line treatment for Kawasaki disease to reduce the risk of coronary artery complications?

A) Antibiotics and antipyretics

B) High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and aspirin

C) Steroids and methotrexate

D) Antiviral agents and supportive care

4. Which of the following is a potential serious complication of Kawasaki disease that requires close monitoring?

A) Coronary artery aneurysms

B) Acute kidney injury

C) Pulmonary hypertension

D) Meningitis

Reveal answers

Answers

  1. B) Kawasaki disease
  2. B) High fever for at least five days, along with conjunctival injection, mucosal changes, and extremity swelling
  3. B) High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and aspirin
  4. A) Coronary artery aneurysms