title: Kawasaki disease: an update on diagnosis and treatment.
abstract: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute multi-system vasculitis syndrome of unknown etiology occurring mostly in infants and children younger than 5 years of age. In developed countries, it is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children. However, KD remains a mysterious disease. Some viruses potentially causing the condition have been isolated, but the results have not been able to be reproduced. This article reviews and summarizes different aspects of KD and provides updated information on diagnosis and treatment. The supplementary criteria for incomplete presentation of KD patients suggested by the American Heart Association, treatment (including tumor necrosis factor-alpha antagonist, methylprednisolone pulse therapy, statins, plasma exchange, and cytotoxic agents) for those with intravenous immunoglobulin treatment failure, and other experiences are also included in this review.
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ho-Chang
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Kuender D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Wei-Chiao
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Luo-Ping
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Ger
authors.forename: Kai-Sheng
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Hsieh
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009080:Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*