Diagnosis and treatment of Kawasaki disease in children and its coronary complications

Kawasaki disease is an acute vasculitis in children that affects medium-sized arteries and leads to the development of coronary artery aneurysms in approximately 25 % of untreated patients. Its incidence has been reported worldwide and is a leading cause of acquired heart diseases in children from developed countries. The etiology of Kawasaki disease remains unknown. The aim of this article is according to the actual guidelines and presented clinical cases to point out the need for its early diagnosis and adequate treatment since only proper initial management of the patients with Kawasaki disease actuates preemptively against the coronary arterial damage. (author)